LONDON, ONT -- London homeless advocate Abe Oudshoorn has started a quest to compete 30 sprint triathlons in 30 days to raise money for Atlohsa Family Healing Services.
Oudshoorn will swim 750 metres, bike 20 kilometres, and run 5 kilometres indoors each day at the downtown branch of the YMCA.
His goal is to raise $10,000 to support the London, Ont. non-profit organization which helps strengthen community through indigenous-led programs.
Atlohsa is working to end indigenous homelessness in the city through emergency shelter, transitional housing and short-term resting spaces.
Oudshoorn says, "It's been a hard couple of years around London. The housing market is tough right now, folks are really struggling. More people are experiencing homelessness and seen longer wait lists for social housing. We need to support the partners in our community who are doing the good work to help people have a safe place to stay and ultimately find a home."
Alana Lees, director of development at Atlohsa Family Healing Services says she’s blown away by the generosity of Oudshoorn. She adds the money raised will go directly to those on the front lines.
"Almost 30 per cent of people experiencing homeless are indigenous, and only three per cent of the population in London is indigenous, so that's quite a significant number,” says Lees.
Lees adds the homeless numbers are growing and with Oudshoorn’s help, the hope is to make a dent in the amount of people requiring the essential indigenous services.
"Everything is indigenous-led, and culture is so important and so integral to indigenous community. It's more than having a roof over their head, it’s that sense of culture and sense of belonging."
Oudshoorn has a GoFundMe account set up to collect donations, and is thrilled to have raised $7,000 of his $10,000 goal before he even started the triathlons. He will be at the YMCA every morning at 6 a.m.
"This is a distance which I can manage and work around time with my family,” says Oudshoorn. “I have Elevate Physiotherapy to keep track of my body, and fingers crossed I’ll get through this."