Big bash helps Ash fight cancer

THE community got moving last week to show their support for a locally-loved personal trainer.

Big Bash for Ash was hosted at SCY247 Training Ocean Grove to raise funds for Ashlee Skorjanec, who was diagnosed with primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma (PMBCL) cancer last month.

The fundraising event including a Jungle body workout hosted by Megan Lawler from Dance Fitness Torquay and several raffled items donated by local businesses.

SCY247 Training Ocean owner Grove Bridgete Schumann said the event was a testament to the community’s incredible support for Ms Skorjanec, even through tough times.

“Ash is one of our trainers and we have worked with her for three years now.

“It has absolutely blown our minds that there is so much love for Ash. So much support, the whole SCY community has banded around her.

“She’s 30, she’s fit, she’s healthy, so it’s really quite a shock to our system that someone who does all the right things is still going through something so horrific.

“So, the purpose of the event was firstly to just raise a lot of morale and cheer because we can only imagine how hard this is for her.

“But it was also to raise funds so she has the financial pressure taken off her and can just focus on her recovery.”

The Big Bash for Ash was part of the ongoing fundraiser started by Skorjanec’s family to alleviate some of the financial difficulties and burdens that come with the ongoing cancer treatment.

“I would say the event was really really successful, because we raised over $4,000 for her. Beyond our wildest dreams, it was exceptional. It was a team effort,” Ms Schumann said, adding the event was the idea of trainer Emily Hayward and made possible by Ms Lawler from Dance Fitness Torquay, who donated her time to run the workout.

Mr Schumann said the GoFundMe was still up and anyone could give.

“Everything helps. She’ll be in chemo for the next six to nine months, and she won’t be able to actively work.”

“Other ways to support her include engaging within our Recovery Room, which is [Ash’s] business in our space, so please come and use those services so she earns the funds from that.”

More than 20 businesses and families donated to the raffle to raise money for the event, including Recovery Room, Emily Hayward PT, SCY247, Move Beyond, Cotton On, Powder Pig and Kalon Hair among many others.

For anyone wanting to donate, the GoFundMe direct to Ash is still open at gofundme.com/f/help-ash-smash-lymphoma

All funds raised will go directly to Ms Skorjanec.