Lifting the Lions (for Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect))

Michael Cooper is raising money for Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)

Team: Lifting the Lions

Lifting the Lions - Lifting the weight of every player in every matchday squad of the Lions Tour 2025, in the time it takes to complete a rugby match · 31 July 2025

Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia) is Australia’s largest autism-specific service provider, with one of the biggest autism-specific school programs in the world. A not-for-profit organisation, we work in partnership with people of all ages on the autism spectrum, and their families to deliver evidence-informed solutions that are person-centred, family-focused and customer driven. Our services provide people on the autism spectrum with the opportunity to realise their unique potential, as well as providing much-needed support to their families, carers, friends and colleagues. Aspect’s vision is to provide the best possible opportunities for people on the spectrum. We believe that people on the autism spectrum are a different brilliant®.

Story

Welcome to my Australian Charity page for Lifting the Lions, raising money for Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect).

The Challenge

Lifting the Lions is a challenge I've created to celebrate and coincide with the Lions Tour of Australia. I’ll be attempting to lift the combined weight of every player, from every matchday squad (both teams), from every match of the Lions Tour, in the time it takes to complete a rugby match.

The Maths

Here's the boring bit to figure out how much I have to lift:

- 23 players a match day squad, 2 squads per match, 10 matches = 460 players

- Average international player weight = just shy of 105 kilos

- Total weight (460x105) = just over 48,000kg, or 4 London double decker buses, or an Airbus A321 (more or less), in 80 minutes. With a 15 minute half time break of course, just like a rugby match!

I’ll be doing squats, bench press and dead lifts and I’ve already started training, and I can confirm it’s horrible.

The Charity

To honour the ethos of the Lions, I'll be raising money for charities in the UK and in Australia.

The charity in Australia I'll be raising money for (on this page) is Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), a wonderful charity which in particularly close to me as my son has ASD. They support children and young people with ASD (and their families) to live their best life through focused education and employment support.

In the UK, I'll be raising money for the 4ED Foundation, a foundation which supports those diagnosed with motor-neurone disease and their families. You can visit that page here.

When/Where?

I'll be doing this mad challenge just before the third Lions Test at 12pm on 31 July 2025 at Crossfit Amare Vita in Kincumber on the NSW Central Coast.

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Thank you for supporting me on this challenge, and keep your eyes peeled for updates!

Donation summary

Total
A$2,383.00
Online
A$2,383.00
Offline
A$0.00

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