Tasmanian Charity the Beneficiary of Students’ Courage Launceston Grammar School, TAS
A record-breaking $37,000 was donated to Tasmanian-based charity St Giles as a result of Launceston Grammar School’s 56th annual Walkathon. Year 12 students walked 80km in 24 hours to fundraise, with the donation used to purchase augmentative communication technologies which will enable those with severe Cerebral Palsy to be able to communicate. Launceston Grammar Headmaster Richard Ford said the School was immensely proud of its students, who completed the walk to raise what is believed to be the largest sum donated in the event’s history. “Our students’ courage and genuine desire to look beyond themselves is truly inspiring,” Mr Ford said. “Each year we see our students grow as individuals and as a steadfast community looking outward to the needs of others. I am proud of the Launceston Grammar students.” Year 12 student and Prefect Lachie Moore, who has Cerebral Palsy, believes it is important to raise awareness of Cerebral Palsy as a condition. “Throughout my life, I have noticed how much of a difference it makes when people have an understanding of what Cerebral Palsy is, and equally, an understanding of how to treat those with the condition in daily life,” Lachie said.
Walkathon History The Walkathon grew from a challenge by former United States President, John F. Kennedy, that a fit man should be able to walk 50 miles in 20 hours. Recent research has established that the challenge actually predates Kennedy and can be traced back to Theodore ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt, 26th US President (1901 – 1090). Kennedy shared Roosevelt’s interest in health and fitness and decided to investigate the fitness of his White House staff by putting the challenge to them. He informed his Secretary for State Pierre Salinger that someone from amongst the staff would have to do the walk, someone who would inspire millions of out of shape Americans to do the same thing. Eventually it was Robert Kennedy, the President’s brother and US Attorney General, who took the challenge on, along with four of his aides from the Justice Department. The walk started in sub-zero temperatures but by the 35 mile mark the last of the aides had dropped out. Kennedy went on to be the only one of the five to finish the distance. The walk was widely reported in the world press and appeared in the Launceston Examiner where it was read by headmaster Don Selth. He put the challenge to the prefects over a breakfast meeting, and it was taken up by them. The Walkathon is now an annual event on the Launceston Grammar calendar.
“It is important that people with Cerebral Palsy are treated with the respect, decency, and humanity that they would receive if they did not have the condition. “It’s also important to know that every person with Cerebral Palsy is unique, and by fundraising, we are enabling people with this condition to express themselves in ways not possible before.”
The entire school rallied behind this year’s Walkathon, with key events run across both the School’s Junior and Senior Campuses including a Maker’s Market, Cocktail Night, and an ice bucket fundraiser.
RAISING AWARENESS: From left, Year 12 students James Curran, Lachie Moore and Chack Kadima during the Walkathon.
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