Click photo to enlarge
Wanaka couple Kim Marshall and Hamish Ludbrook are asking
for Queenstown's support in their bid to gather $10,000 to
raise awareness of and combat prostate cancer. Photo by
Felicity Wolfe.
A man whose family has been devastated by prostate cancer
is calling on Queenstown's support as he rows his way towards
$10,000.
Wanaka man Hamish Ludbrook decided he would use a rowing
machine to raise money - and awareness - of prostate cancer
after a group of friends decided to enter a rowing race
across the Indian Ocean, also to raise money.
"They were looking for crew and asked me. I said yes, but
when I went to my family they couldn't handle it," Mr
Ludbrook said.
His family has been severely affected by cancer.
Mr Ludbrook's grandfather died of prostate cancer when his
father was only 6 and the disease claimed the life of an
uncle at the age of 57.
Another has since recovered from cancer of the kidney.
Other family members have also been claimed by cancer, which
has taken a toll, Mr Ludbrook explained.
However, he was determined to do something and, after
considering various options, decided to follow his friends'
rowing theme.
Not being "a rower", he decided on rowing in public places
for two hours every weekday.
"We don't want people to feel we are busking," his partner
and support crew Kim Marshall said.
"We don't want to ask people. We want to inspire them," Mr
Ludbrook said.
So far, the Wanaka-based couple have raised $2700 in their
first week.
They are keen to spread the message and will be appearing
around Queenstown, when there is a fine day.
"It [the rowing machine] doesn't really work on wet days," Ms
Marshall said.
By raising money, the pair hope to support research into
prostate cancer and raise awareness of a condition which has
only recently begun to be talked about.
"There is a whole month devoted to breast cancer - but there
is not much said about this male cancer," Ms Marshall said.
They are not sure how quickly the $10,000 goal will be
reached.
"It could take two weeks, it could be six."
However, Mr Marshall is determined to reach the end - which
he believes will be about the same time his friends reach
their destination of Mauritius.
The group has been doing well and lies about second in the
race "although that is not why they are doing it".
"They are doing it hard. I don't have 7m swells and sharks,"
he said.
"They have a blog . . . the other day one of them had a real
dark time - "he really had to do a bit o soul-searching to
remember why he was out there."
• To support Hamish Ludbrook, either look out for him around
Queenstown,or go online to www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/roamingrower.
• To read about the efforts of Mr Ludbrook's friends - Billy
Gammon, Matthew Hampel, Tom Wigram and Pete Staples - in the
5742km Indian Ocean Rowing Race, go to www.rowingforprostate.com
