26 Glenorchy Gazette FEBRUARY 2022
Sport
Local athlete Lewis Taylor pictured (above and left) on kunanyi, before embarking on his mountain-climbing mission
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TASMANIAN Lewis Taylor has begun his journey to climb 158 abels – mountains that are more than 1,100m high – in 158 days to raise $158,000 for Cancer Council Tasmania. Mr Taylor was inspired to undertake the challenge after witnessing his mother’s battle with cancer, and wanted to use his love of nature to help other Tasmanians who have been affected by the disease. “I first thought I might hike around the state for a year and promote Tasmanian businesses,” he said. “But while I was planning that, my mum’s breast cancer returned after she was six years recovered.
“Apart from being by her side, I began to think about how I could turn this into a fundraiser for cancer.” While his mother has now fully recovered again, Mr Taylor said cancer was an important topic to discuss within the community to help raise awareness. “The journey I’ve had through my family, through my mum, has really opened me up to the fact that when cancer enters people’s lives it’s really new and there’s avenues that people may not know how to navigate,” he said. “Cancer Council Tasmania do an amazing job. Whether it’s through diagnosis, treatment or post-treatment, they’re still there to be a support
network, a community and a home for anyone who has been touched by cancer.” Mr Taylor’s 158 Abels Challenge began on 4 January and will finish on his thirtieth birthday, 10 June, on Mount Wellington/kunanyi. He plans to climb two or three mountains on some days, taking at least one day off each week until June. “The longest multi-day walk I’ve been on is six days and the longest one I’ll be going on is probably 12 days offtrack,” he said. “It’s about challenging myself, but I’ve done the precautionary research and talked to really experienced people who have guided me along the way.” Cancer Council
Tasmania chief executive officer Penny Egan said Mr Taylor’s dedication and contribution to raise much-needed funds was extraordinary. “This is just another example of how everyday Tasmanians, affected by cancer, reach out to help others,” she said. “Every Tasmanian has a cancer story – for many of us, we have multiple stories.” Mr Taylor will also open the Hobart Relay For Life at the Domain on 26 March, walking 158 laps of the oval – the equivalent of a marathon and a half – in addition to his 158 Abels challenge. For more information on Mr Taylor’s fundraiser or to donate, visit www.158challenge.com
Sporting clubs to receive financial boost A TOTAL of 36 Tasmanian sporting organisations are set to receive a financial boost in an effort to develop and grow the state’s sport and recreation sector and get more people involved in sport. As part of the Tasmanian Government’s Sport and Recreation State Grants Program, grants of up to $60,000 will be provided to individual sporting organisations, totalling $1.15 million. Included in the funding are grants for Bowls Tasmania, the Tasmanian Little Athletics Association, Special Olympics Australia, Basketball Tasmania Incorporated, and the Tasmanian
Branch of Royal Life Saving Society Australia. Minister for Sport and Recreation Jane Howlett said the organisations receiving funding have more than 90,000 total registered members in Tasmania and represent a workforce of more than 15,000 coaches and officials. “These vital funds will help to increase the capacity of state sporting organisations, state disability sporting organisations, state sector service providers and state active recreation providers to administer, develop and grow their sport in Tasmania,” she said. “Our Government recognises the power of sport and the role
that local clubs play in engaging people from all parts of the community and fostering community connections, by providing places to be social, active and develop skills and values.” In addition, a further 40 organisations from across Tasmania are set to share in more than $1.5 million in funding from the government’s 2021-22 Improving the Playing Field Grants Program (Small Grants). This funding includes $40,000 for lighting upgrades at the Domain Tennis Centre, and $49,000 for improved disability access and extra seating for the Glenorchy Basketball
Association. “The Improving the Playing Field Grants Program recognises the importance of sport and recreation to Tasmanian communities, and is also providing assistance in supporting the building and construction industry and local jobs,” Ms Howlett said. “We want more Tasmanians to get involved in physical activity, no matter what their age, their circumstance or their background.” For a full list of the successful applications for the Sport and Recreation State Grants Program, visit www. communities.tas.gov.au/ csr/sportrec/funding_ grants/state_grants
