Hobart Observer JULY 2022 25
Sport
Lewis able to rise over the challenge LEWIS Taylor has completed the final climb of his 158 mountain challenge, just in time to celebrate his 30th birthday. Every day for the past six months, avid hiker Lewis has been summiting one of Tasmania’s 158 abels (mountains more than 1100m high). After travelling abroad for much of his twenties, Lewis had a strong desire to rediscover Tasmania. “I wanted a true Tasmanian experience and after hiking overseas I felt a real pull to Tasmania’s mountains and wild areas,” he said. In late 2020 Lewis was hit with the sad news that his mum’s breast cancer had returned. “Everything was put on hold until her treatment was complete,” he said. “That experience of being all-consumed by cancer and it hitting so close to home really drove me to think how I
could turn my dream of wanting to complete the mountain challenge into something bigger.” Lewis had heard about people climbing all Tasmania’s 158 abels in two years, but wanted to take it to the next level and set the ambitious goal of summitting all 158 in just 158 days, while raising funds for Cancer Council Tasmania. After nearly two years of planning, Lewis began the challenge on 4 January and was excited to be out there raising money for a cause so close to his heart. It was going well until, with just two weeks remaining in the challenge, Lewis hit a major hurdle. “My trailer was out of action, my car had broken down and I got COVID,” he said. “I was feeling so burnt out and fatigued and I was finding it hard to accept this roadblock.
“But it was the support of family, friends and people following my challenge that really drove me and got me through those really hard moments.” Lewis finished his final climb on 10 June and has so far raised about $70,000, which will go directly to Cancer Council Tasmania to help fund its many initiatives. “The money can fund the equivalent of 460 wigs in the wig gallery for women experiencing hair loss due to chemotherapy; two years of alternative therapy programs; or 2400 trips to vital appointments for cancer patients,” Lewis said. “Hearing these numbers makes me want to cry. I am so happy my funds can make such a big impact on the lives of Tasmanians effected by cancer.” To find out more or make a donation, go to www.158challenge.com
Lewis Taylor atop one of the 158 mountains he’s climbed this year
Children participating in the Tasmanian Variety Activate Inclusion Sport Day held in Hobart recently. Photos by Chris Rule
Levelling the playing field with inclusive sport days VARIETY Tasmania has helped ensure Australia’s great sporting culture extends to every child, with the first Tasmanian Variety Activate Inclusion Sport Days held across the state last month. Variety partnered with Disability Sports Australia and worked in collaboration with ParaQuad to present the events, which saw 108 kids participate across consecutive days in Devonport, Launceston and Hobart. The Activate Inclusion program is a groundbreaking initiative
focused on providing sporting pathways for children with a physical, intellectual or sensory disability. Showcasing a range of activities including cricket, ParaQuad wheelchair basketball, AFL and ten pin bowling, the free Variety Activate Inclusion Sport Days encourage students to identify the sports and activities they enjoy and provides them with support and contacts for future participation in their local community. Children who are often excluded from
mainstream physical education because of a lack of modification knowledge and adaptive equipment, are given the opportunity to experience a variety of sport activities in a fun and inclusive environment. “We believe every child deserves the chance to play,” Variety CEO Mohammad Aldergham said. “The Variety Activate Inclusion Sports Days are all about breaking down the barriers so many kids often face to playing sport.
“Kids are just having fun, but sport has so many valuable lessons for them from teamwork and social bonding to developing patience, setting and working towards goals, controlling emotions, and increased self-esteem through a sense of achievement. “No child should miss out on the joy and benefits of playing sport.” Activate Inclusion Sport Days have been running in New South Wales for six years and have introduced more than 7000 kids to sporting opportunities.
