Every number tells a story, and for 5-year-old Ollie, those numbers helped him become the top individual fundraiser at the 2023 Chevron City to Surf for Activ, raising $6127.92. He has set his numbers for 2024 even higher as an ambassador for the event, aiming to smash his record and get a team together to raise $20,000.
Ollie has a special superpower, he lives with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). For him and his family, autism is not a disorder but a superpower – where keen attention to detail, memory, and a willingness to help define his character.
“Ollie has really strong empathy, he loves learning about the world, he loves exercising and that brings a lot of good to his world and our world. There’s certainly a lot of challenges with that as well along the way but yeah it’s something we certainly see as his hidden superpower,” says his dad, Dan.
“He’s amazing in his ability to learn and engage with different things through numbers, through being physically active and moving, there are so many things that bring a lot of joy to us and a lot of joy to him, that he wouldn’t have without his diagnosis.”
Ollie and his dad ran the 4km event in 2023, training a few times each week in the lead up to the big day. They had fun creating training and fundraising video updates and sharing them with friends and family to encourage their support with donations along the way.
“Check the page,” says Ollie, remembering the thrill of seeing an increase in donations when his dad logged onto their webpage to check it in the lead up to the event.
Dan says Ollie liked to keep track of donations on their participant webpage each day, even checking in a few times some days as the tally kept rising.
“I asked people do you want to fundraise to help City to Surf,” Ollie explains.
He also spoke at his school assembly about fundraising for the event, encouraging his classmates and school staff to donate to his webpage. His dedication to training and smashing his fundraising goals inspired one of his teachers so much she signed up to take on the 12k run.
Ollie’s advice to people thinking about signing up to this year’s Chevron City to Surf for Activ is simple, “try”.
He says you can walk or run, there are some fast runners and slow walkers and wheelchairs.
“You could do a bit of running, walking and then running so you’re not running all the way. There’s music along the way. Also, you get a medal at the end.”
“I’m looking forward to, we’re making a big team this year, so I feel more confident helping the City to Surf with everyone.”
Ollie is also eager to run this year’s course with his sister Ruby.
“My favourite part last year was crossing the finish line and when Dad was encouraging me,” he says.
He’s hoping Ruby will have as much fun as he did when they take part this year.
The count is officially on, encourage your friends and family to get behind your participation this year and donate to help Activ support people living with disability across WA to live the life they choose.