Nic Gill, Sam Whitelock, Brad Mooar & friends embark on 24hr ‘Watty’ Challenge for Chalky!

All Blacks High-Performance Coach Nic Gill is raising the bar again for his mate Chalky – and this time, he’s bringing All Blacks Captain Sam Whitelock and Assistant Coach Brad Mooar with him!

Gilly is setting out on a '24hr Watty Challenge for Chalky!' with the aims of breaking the current record of cycling 755km in 24 hours. Whew! In doing this mahi, the boys are raising funds for the Chalky Carr Trust, in honour of their mate and former All Blacks Logistics Manager, Chalky. They're riding to raise $100,000 to support early detection of bowel cancer in Aotearoa.

All Blacks Captain Sam Whitelock and Assistant Coach Brad Mooar are joining Gilly for the FULL TWENTY-FOUR HOUR ENDURANCE MARATHON, with the lads setting out on this ultimate 'Watty' challenge on Thursday 25 November. They’ll jump on their bikes for 24 hours, finishing in an as-yet-undetermined MIQ back in NZ, with a few friends…

Our Patron Gemma McCaw (Black Sticks Legend), Eric Murray (Rowing Olympian), Hamish Bond (Rowing and Cycling Legend), Hannah Wells (NZ Ironman Champion), Dougal Allan (Coast to Coast champ) and Cameron Brown (Ironman Legend) will get on their bikes and ‘ride for Chalks’, joining the lads for around an hour or so during the marathon!

WHAT WILL THE FUNDS BE USED FOR?

The Chalky Carr Trust aims to make a practical difference to those impacted by cancer. We are setting a new goal to raise $100,000 supporting early detection of bowel cancer.

WHY?

Some people who have altered bowel habits and/or unexplained rectal bleeding (from their bottom) may have colorectal cancer (the lower part of the bowel). This is diagnosed by a doctor using a piece of equipment to look up into the bowel.

The current state of public funding across NZ means those younger than 50 years old are unable to access this service unless the referring doctor has a very high suspicion of cancer. Some people have insurance or resources to privately access this test, but others may not.

Currently, the Canterbury Charity Hospital sees over 500 patients (under the age of 50 years old) for screening and, of this population, approximately 6 cancers are detected, with a further 48 precancerous lesions found (the transition rate to cancer being approved 25% over 10 years).

These patients are then referred back to the public system for treatment and with the benefit of early detection are much more likely to have a good outcome from this. This work is done on a minimal budget and has over 180 volunteers - these include doctors from many disciplines, clerical and support workers.

It costs $450 per person to have a screening examination in the Charity Hospital but the ability to start treatment which may be curative on able-bodied people who may have had a very different outcome is invaluable. We want to raise $100,000 to support this testing.

Gilly, Brad & friends will get the ball rolling and our $100,000 efforts will culminate at a Chalky Carr Trust Gala Auction held at Te Pae, Christchurch's new Convention Centre, on 4 March 2022. Join us with our Patron Gemma McCaw, Keynote Speaker, Jo McKenzie-McLean and other amazing supporters https://events.humanitix.com/chalky-carr-trust-at-te-pae

As Chalky would say, LESSGO TEAM!

ABOUT THE CHALKY CARR TRUST

Kevin 'Chalky' Carr was a former Royal Marine Commando, working as a Lieutenant Commander for the Royal New Zealand Navy at HMNZS Pegasus in Montreal St when the deadly February 22 earthquake struck. Heading into the city to do what he could to help, he was subsequently awarded the New Zealand Bravery Medal by the Governor-General for his "selfless actions and leadership that saved many lives and had a major impact on the outcome of the rescue efforts at the CTV building".

A lifelong rugby fan, he subsequently got a job with the All Blacks as their logistics manager and was on tour with the team in June 2016 when he fell ill and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Chalky thought he’d kicked his "rust" into touch but sadly lost that battle in January 2018.

In Chalky's words, "I don't want sympathy. I want to do something productive and meaningful while I can – and for me that’s helping someone else impacted by cancer. One thing that kept me going was there was always someone worse off than me. Even when I was in the darkest depths of horrid chemotherapy, I felt I was incredibly lucky to be in the position I am."

Chalky created the Chalky Carr Trust which is raising money to help people who are bound together by a cancer experience in a very practical way.

NIC GILL

Nic described Chalky as; "an inspiration to so many and I was lucky to have him as a mate". This is not the first time he has done the mahi for his mate having raised $6,000 in the NZ Ironman. Gilly says, "This is nothing compared to the "grit and strength" shown by my mate in his battle with pancreatic cancer!" We cannot thank him enough.

BRAD MOOAR

Brad is a founding Trustee of the Chalky Carr Trust. Brad had only known Chalky for a short time when he was asked to join a team of trustees selected to safeguard and deliver the charity's vision. When Chalky asked him, over a cuppa in his kitchen at home, Brad agreed immediately. This was done without hesitation and despite knowing the commitment. It showed the measure of a man who has a heart the size of Phar Lap and he might just need it for this challenge!

SAM WHITELOCK

Sam needs no introduction. Chalky was his mate and MC at his wedding. He has worked quietly and with massive impact to support Chalky's vision.

Five years on, Chalky's legacy continues.