As most people were relaxing in front of the tellie, pouring another bevvie or socialising with friends, Forster police prosecutor, Kyle Verdich was hopping into a stationery rowing machine at the newly opened Fortify Gym in a bid to raise funds for the Great Lakes Women's Shelter.

For 48 hours, from 8pm last Friday, March 5 until 8pm on Sunday, March 7 Kyle rowed a gruelling 6.4km every four hours to complete his final target of 83.2 kilometres, snatching a handful of hours' sleep along the way.

In the end Kyle raised $4663 for the women's shelter.

"Anyone that has done some rowing in their time will appreciate the mammoth effort Kyle put in over the weekend," gym owner, Julien Rinaldi said.

"To keep that pace up over and over again on minimal sleep is impressive and shows a real mental toughness.

"Kyle's success is a testament to his commitment to raising awareness around domestic violence and to raising valuable funds for the Great Lakes Women's Shelter.

"We are proud to have been able to help support Kyle over the weekend."

EARLIER:

While most people will be settling down looking forward to two days of rest and relaxation, Kyle Verdich will be stepping into an indoor rowing machine this evening, Friday, March 5 for 48 hours of fundraising.

Kyle is undertaking the arduous challenge to raise much needed funds for the Great Lakes Women's Shelter, while at the same time raising awareness of the insidious incidence of domestic violence.

Kyle's goal is to is to row 6.4 kilometres every four hours for a final distance of 83.2km

He will be joined on Saturday morning at the Fortify Gym, Forster with owner, Julien Rinaldi for one of the four hour stints.

"We are really proud having the opportunity to play a role in supporting Kyle who has trained very hard to prepare for the difficult challenge he has set himself," Julien said.

"He is raising money for a very worthy cause and I look forward to rowing alongside him at our gym at the 4am timeslot on Saturday morning.

Julien said Fortify members were right behind his mammoth tasked and wished him the best for what promises to be a big weekend.

Domestic violence is a scourge on our society, Kyle says.

But, services like those provided by the Great Lakes Women's Shelter,are a shining light in the victim's world which has gone dark, he said.

In 2020 more than 59,500 women in NSW were victims of domestic violence.

Also coming up:

"Countless others went unreported," Kyle said.

"Statistics indicate we all know someone who is a victim of domestic violence," he said.

"The women's refuge provides them a safe haven to escape this insidious disease."

To support Kyle in his fundraising efforts visit his GoFundMe page HERE.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: