Te Awamutu mates Gerard Dorssers (left) and Ollie Ward will be shooting hoops for 12 hours to fundraise for a Te Awamutu boy.
Ollie Ward and Gerard Dorssers have set themselves an epic challenge — to shoot 6000 netball hoops in 12 hours.
And it's all to raise money for a Te Awamutu boy who needs vital medication.
The 'shoot-a-thon' is at the Te Awamutu Sports Indoor Centre this Saturday from 7am to 7pm.
Ollie and Gerard will each shoot 3000 hoops in 12 hours. They'll use separate netball hoops but be on the same court.
They have allowed themselves a five minute break every hour.
Some people are calling the Te Awamutu mates big-hearted, some are calling them crazy.
If they reach the target early, they'll keep shooting until the 12 hours is over. If they don't reach the target? That's not an option, they say.
The two men have played basketball for Te Awamutu in regional and national tournaments over the years.
They've been through plenty of challenges on the court together — but none as gruelling as this.
"By our rough calculations I think we'll just make it," Ollie says.
"Although it won't take long for us to get tired. The last two hours will especially be a struggle."
Gerard says the event will be tough — but not as tough as what Jai and his family have been through.
"Ollie and I are just helping in a way that we know how," Gerard says.
Ollie had been thinking about the idea of a shoot-a-thon for a while and was waiting for a good reason to do it.
Gerard jumped on board and together they hope to raise $3000 for Jai Bowers-Anstis — a boy they have no close relationship to, but heard about through friends and family.
Jai was born a happy healthy baby, but at nine months he contracted herpes simplex virus and encephalitis — a brain inflammation.
He now has a severe brain injury, developmental delays and refractory epilepsy — seizures that are not controlled with seizure medications.
Jai's only relief is cannabidiol (CBD), an oil-based medicinal cannabis produced by Canadian company Tilray.
The money raised from Saturday's event will cover two months' medication.
The public is invited to come along to watch. If you head down between 3pm and 4pm you might even spot the guys in Disney princess costumes.
To make a donation get in touch with Gerard on 027 505 4008 or Ollie on 027 290 9268.
For more information click here.
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