Champion ultra-marathon runner Fred Brooks has donated $100 to two Cranbourne teenagers chosen to compete at the 2006 Australian Special Olympics later this year Kenneth Hughes and Katrina Hughes.By Rebecca Fraser
BERWICK marathon man Fred Brooks has thrown his support behind two young runners chosen to represent Victoria at the 2006 Australian Special Olympics later this year.
Kenneth Hughes, 18 and sister Katrina, 15 need to raise $3600 to travel to Queensland in October, where they will compete against hundreds of athletes from across the country.
The young siblings from Cranbourne, who have mild learning disabilities, will compete in the 100-metres sprint, 200 metres, 400 metres, 800 metres, 4 x 100-metres relay and long jump.
It is the second time Kenneth has been selected to represent the state, while Katrina will be competing for the first time.
Mr Brooks heard about the young pair’s plight to raise funds in the News last week and said he was very moved by their passion to compete.
City of Casey councillor Paul Richardson recently donated $250 of his ward funds to Mr Brooks to help him compete at the Australian 48-Hour Championships in August.
Mr Brooks has now decided to donate $100 of his own money to the Hughes children and has also offered to run through High Street in Berwick from 7am to 7pm to raise funds for the athletic duo.
Mr Brooks holds 20 Australian records for endurance walking/running and two world records and will run a leg of the Commonwealth Games baton relay through Dandenong on 2 March.
“You see these young people with a disability who are still willing to carry on and achieve so much,” he said.
“It is nice to see two youngsters striving for something.”
Mr Brooks said he would like to organise a few collection boxes or people could sponsor him and run through High Street to help raise more money.
“Stan Miskin (another marathon runner) would come and run for a couple of hours,” he said. “It would be nice for the older generations like myself to be helping the younger generations.”
Proud mum Theresa said she was delighted with Mr Brooks’ offer of support and said the senior coach at the Merinda Cricket Club, Brett Armitage, had also offered to give his frequent-flyer points away so she and her husband could watch their children compete.
“I would pound the pavement myself for my kids if I could,” she said.
Ms Hughes said their family of four children was very sports orientated and Kenneth had been inspired to compete after meeting a paralympian.
Both youngsters train with Westernport and excelled in the regional and state games to make the Victorian team.
Anyone wanting to make a donation to the Hughes family is asked to contact Star News Group on 5945 0666.
