A little community gym in Matua is aiming to make a big impact by fundraising for Tauranga’s UOKBRO founder Scotty Harvey.

Head coach Brent Mayhew said the gym opened in May last year, and this will be their second annual fundraiser, beginning a new tradition for the community business.

Last year the gym held a “24-hour walkathon” fundraiser. “We had 73 people walk on the treadmills across 24 hours, and we raised about $2000 for a local charity [Graeme Dingle Foundation],” said Mayhew.

Tomorrow, Saturday, April 12, Club 31 is hosting 12 fitness classes across 12 hours for anyone to participate in as they fundraise for UOKBRO free counselling services so Harvey can continue to support those suffering from mental health issues around Tauranga.

Scotty Harvey and Brent Mayhew outside Club 31 in Matua with the iconic UOKBRO truck. Photo / Brydie Thompson

The fundraiser will start 5am on April 12, and run until 5pm with consecutive classes the whole time including Strong, HIIT and Hybrid.

The Strong class is a strength-based class, Mayhew said, consisting of slow, controlled movements.

HIIT is a high-intensity cardio class, and Hybrid is a combination of lifting techniques and high-intensity cardio. To book a spot in a class, email: brent@club31.co.nz.

Members and non-members alike are welcome to join the classes on the day for free. “And if anyone decided to join us on that day, we’re giving them their two first weeks’ [gym memerbship] for free,” Mayhew said.

Besides 12 hours of fitness classes, there will be spot prizes, raffle draws, giveaways and kids’ activities like face painting.

UOKBRO?

Harvey has been working to improve the mental health of Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty residents by sitting on the roadside across the districts in recent years – offering free counselling. He is widely known due to his brightly-coloured UOKBRO bus.

Harvey and UOKBRO came highly recommended by a couple of gym members, so Mayhew decided he needed to look into it. “I looked at what Scotty does, and it really resonated with me,” Mayhew said.

Founder of UOKBRO Scotty Harvey and Club 31 owner Brent Mayhew. Photo / Brydie Thompson

“I’ve had my own mental health journey and the services he provides is absolutely vital.”

Harvey invited Mayhew for a chat and after sitting with him for an hour, Mayhew was hooked.

“I was like, this guy needs protecting at all costs. We need to look after him and see what we can do for him.”

Money raised will go towards Harvey’s expenses so he can continue to do the voluntary work that he does.

“It’ll help me to stay on the road,” said Harvey. “I’m still not getting paid so I’m still self-funding myself. It [money] will go into the charitable trust. Those funds will help me tremendously.”

During the nine months of 2024 that Harvey offered his services, 430 people stopped to talk with him. This year Harvey said he’s already had 120 people stop by.

“There were some horrendous stories,” he said.

“They don’t realise how much they’ve empowered themselves to stop and talk to some random bloke on the side of the road to get support. If the seat’s free, it’s theirs; that’s my motto.

“Even if I don’t have an income, I’m still going to do it,” said Harvey.

Funds will be raised via a Givealittle page. To contribute, visit: https://givealittle.co.nz/org/uokbronz