Kamloops Big Brother contestant hits the ring to raise money for mental health

A Kamloops man is going from Big Brother contestant to celebrity boxer.

John Luke Kieper is best known for being in Canadian Big Brother 8 but that appears to be opening opportunities. He was selected to compete in a reality TV pay-per-view boxing match against other 'celebrities' from other reality TV shows. He will be fighting Renan Hellmans, a Belgian who appeared on MTV's "Ex on the Beach" as well as "The Challenge."

Contestants are all social media celebrities bringing three million social media followers from North American and Europe. The fight is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2022 at the Grey Eagle Casino in Calgary.

In a release, Kieper said he has raised $2,500 and will direct all proceeds to the Vancouver, Kamloops and Kelowna branches of the Canadian Mental Health Association. 

“As someone who has been on medication, seen counsellors and not always handled his mental health in the healthiest way, I think using the fight as a chance to raise money for a good cause is an absolute knockout,” Kieper said.

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