The generosity of your response to our partnership with UNICEF has been amazing. We ran incredible events all round the world and it just wouldn’t have happened without the passion and support of an incredible tribe of Instructors.
Our partnership goal with UNICEF is to create a world where all children are born to survive and thrive. Rachael Newsham experienced UNICEF’s life-changing work in South Sudan last year and her trip inspired many of us to raise funds and run Workout For Water events.
Leading the fundraising charge for our Tribe was USA Instructor Scott Martin, Tommi Wong from New Zealand and Ainara Cabello of Spain. Scott and Ainara will now travel to New Zealand for Masterclass filming in February 2018. We caught up with our champion fundraisers to find out more about their personal experiences.
SCOTT MARTIN, USA
What inspired you to be a Workout For Water fundraiser?
The Workout for Water fundraiser was a no brainer...the second Workout For Water was announced I knew it was going down! Les Mills instructors talk a big game about changing the world and I feel like we deliver on this pledge. Workout For Water was as an opportunity to further that mission. I had never done anything quite like this and figured I could do my part to raise some money. Lastly, it’s WATER for crying out loud! In the US having access to clean water at the turn of a handle is a luxury that we are so accustomed to. We are almost ignorant about water’s true grip on our survival. The knowledge that there are other humans around the world without this basic human necessity is heart-breaking and I feel like it’s our duty to help those around us that are in need. We have an opportunity to live this amazing life...in a way these acts of kindness are like paying our metaphorical rent to Earth.
What was your best moment during the fundraising campaign?
There were many great moments during the campaign! The entire process was simply fun. I think there is a reason we feel good when we do good by others; there is something ingrained in our DNA. I would say that the best moment was the excitement Workout For Water generated in my community. I specifically remember the morning we hit 10 water pumps: it was a Thursday morning; I was walking into my 5:45am SPRINT class and one of our regular SPRINT attendees pledged to donate the 11th water pump if we were to reach 10. As I walked into the cycling room, with every ounce of energy this member yelled at the top of his lungs, “10 pumps baby”. Throughout the fundraiser it was the unity and excitement of my peers reminded me just how much good is still in this crazy world.
What was your biggest challenge in the campaign?
I would say the biggest challenge of the campaign was finding outlets to promote the cause. The facility I teach for has a very strict policy on fundraisers and setting up fundraising organizations well in advance. Outside of promoting on my personal social media accounts the only other means I had to promote was word of mouth. Secondly, I did not have a facility to run a Workout For Water class. So rather I pledged to do a combination of repetitions of jump squats, plyo lunges, burpees, push ups, and pull ups. Promoting the fundraiser and performing almost 6,000 repetitions was the most difficult aspect of the fundraiser.
Would you do it again next year?
Absolutely! Our instructors around the world have proven that when called upon we can step up to the plate and get the job done. When our passion meets action the momentum is powerful. Using our platform to create a little good in the world is both responsible and respectable. I cannot wait for the next one!
What are you most looking forward to about your trip to New Zealand?
Over the last 10 years I have learned, and grown from watching master classes filmed at Les Mills headquarters in New Zealand. I have proudly watched the company evolve right before my eyes. A hunk of my life has been spent in front of a screen watching the magic created in Studio 1. I am so excited to visit the mothership...it’s like a long distance relationship and I finally get to meet my girl. Oh, and my girl is coming with me too!
TOMMI WONG, NEW ZEALAND
What inspired you to be a Workout For Water fundraiser?
This is such a fantastic way to give back and I felt so fortunate to be a part of it.
I love a great workout and Workout for Water is a great cause! This just really spoke to me so there were no second thoughts about getting behind it. I want to give help whenever I can.
What was your best moment during the fundraising campaign?
The best moment was seeing how supportive and generous everyone was of this great cause, and also how much we have each other’s back.
What was your biggest challenge in the campaign?
There are so many things out there that demand our attention all the time so just making sure people noticed this campaign and got behind it.
Would you do it again next year?
Absolutely. This is such a great cause that Jackie Mills has created by partnering with UNICEF. We all are so fortunate to be in a place where we can help and give back so hopefully next year there will be more Instructors getting behind this.
AINARA CABELLO, SPAIN
What inspired you to be a Workout For Water fundraiser?
I'm a person who is always willing and ready to help people in need. I'm always trying to help animals too. Les Mills and UNICEF gave us the way to help children!!! So I was ready to do it!!
What was your best moment during the fundraising campaign?
The best moment was when my boss told me that the club was going to donate all revenue from 18th November to 24th November!!!! I couldn’t believe it!! And of course, teaching Workout For Water classes and seeing how the donations page increased, was an amazing feeling.
What was your biggest challenge in the campaign?
The biggest challenge... explaining to my coordinator and club owner what was Workout for Water, the great cause it was and the amazing opportunity it was for our club. Once I did it, everyone loved the idea, got involved and was so easy!!
Would you do it again next year?
Of course!!! And I will do it a hundred times better!!!
What are you most looking forward to about your trip to New Zealand?
This answer is easy, I am looking forward to dance BODYJAM with G and the team. This is one of my biggest dreams and finally it will be accomplished!