WANGARATTA-based Firey Lou is challenging the local community to complete a combined total of 1000 deadlifts on November 24 as part of its Strength in Action- Deadlifts for Change event.

The event is part of the 16 Days of Activism, an international campaign fighting against gender-based violence.

Firey Lou founder, Shantelle van der Leeuw, said the group decided on deadlifts because they symbolise strength, resilience and the power to lift up ourselves and others.

“By challenging ourselves to reach 1000 deadlifts as a community, we’re not only working toward a fitness goal but also showing our commitment to lifting the weight of violence from our society,” she said.

“It’s a fitting exercise for standing in solidarity with survivors and using physical strength to represent the emotional strength needed in the fight against gender-based violence.”

As part of the challenge to complete 1000 deadlifts as a community, Firey Lou is encouraging individuals to commit to 16 deadlifts on November 24 either at VDL Strength at 52 Liddell Drive, or tag in a post of themselves completing the deadlifts at their own gym on social media.

Ms van der Leeuw encourages people to take part in the event to be part of a positive movement that supports the prevention of gender-based violence.

For those who can’t complete the deadlifts, she said there are still many other ways to support the cause - such as making a donation, sharing information about the event on social media and encouraging friends and family to get involved.

“Every act of support, big or small, contributes to raising awareness and funding for this vital cause,” Ms van der Leeuw said.

“If they wish, people can also come by on the event day to cheer on participants and show solidarity in person.”

Registration for the event is $10 and all money raised will go directly toward Firey Lou’s initiatives in violence prevention and education within our local community.

To register for the event visit https://events.humanitix.com/strength-in-action-deadlifts-for-change?hxchl=hex-qrc&hxref=evt and to donate visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/strength-in-action-deadlifts-for-change.

You can find Firey Lou on social media by searching @fireylou on Instagram and Firey Lou on Facebook.