September 15, 2025
If you were wondering what was happening in the car park of the Salvation Army Store in Kingaroy on Saturday morning … it was just 79-year-old Leroy Gessler making a point (and raising funds for the Salvos!).
The Blackbutt resident – who uses a wheelchair after having a stroke in 2018 – challenged shoppers at the store to a “knee squatting” competition.
There was a $5 fee to enter the challenge, plus a $1 donation for every squat that Leroy could do more than the challenger.
When southburnett.com.au dropped in, Leroy had just completed 100 of his modified knee squats.
He had also beaten three challengers so far …
There was also a barbecue happening in the car park for a gold coin donation.
This is the second time that Leroy has raised funds in this unique fashion … a squat challenge in Blackbutt raised funds for the Stroke Foundation.
Major Michelle Myles said Leroy was setting a great example and had a huge community heart.
All funds raised will go to the Salvation Army’s South Burnett Region Corps.
