If the Jodi Lee Foundation had a number one ticket holder, it would be John Clements. He’s the first to register for The JLF Trek, and he rallies his wife Louise, friends and fellow Rotary Club members to volunteer at our treks and raise funds through Bunnings sausage sizzles.

In 2021, John was named our inaugural Volunteer of the Year, and he’s even modelled our merch.

This weekend, John will walk his 16th The JLF Trek, wearing his iconic trek bib number 007.

“I walk in memory of Mum who battled bowel cancer for the last few years of her life and also as a bowel cancer survivor myself.

Turning 50 was a significant turning point in my life. My mother, Shirley had battled bowel cancer for several years, and with other family members affected by the disease, she pestered me to have a check-up.

Her intuition proved correct, with a colonoscopy detecting a tumour. I had surgery to remove the tumour in May 2007, followed by six months of chemotherapy.

My mother passed away on the morning of my 11th treatment, leaving me with so much to thank her for. Early detection proved, once again, to be a godsend.

It is 18 years now since I was diagnosed and I still feel it is important to continue raising awareness for this insidious disease. Have you done your Bowel Screening Test?

Sharing my story, doing voluntary work for Jodi Lee Foundation and getting involved in The JLF Trek is also my way of saying thank you to my mother for saving my life.

I love being a regular trek participant, as it is fun and the exercise, especially training in the lead-up to the event, is good for you.”

John is currently one of the leading individual fundraisers, after kicking-off his fundraising efforts with a Bunnings sausage sizzle.

Thank you John for your unwavering commitment.

Your passion and story continue to inspire us all.