Elias' Athletics Fund

Brooke Rennie is organizing this fundraiser.

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Help Elias reach his athletic dreams!

My name is Brooke, I live in Sunbury, Victoria and I would like to help a young talented boy try to live his dreams of becoming an elite athletics runner.

I first met Elias (12 years old) as I worked as an Integration Aide at his Primary school. I attended several athletics days for the school and noticed how naturally talented he was at running. He had never had any experience outside of school with athletics and had no training. He was competing against other kids with years of experience and wearing the latest designer athletics shoes...and he was beating them! After much consideration, and permission from his Aunty, I started to take Elias to my local family Little Athletics club in Sunbury. Every Saturday morning I leave my home in Sunbury and drive to Ascot Vale to pick up Elias. I then drive back to Sunbury to watch Elias and my son compete. Elias started Little Athletics late in November 2015 and has never looked back. In fact he is only looking forward, with dreams of representing Australia and eventually in the Olympics.

Elias has not had an easy start to life. He left his birth country of Ethiopia in 2012, aged 8 after the tragic death of both parents. He travelled to Australia with his older brother and sister, not knowing a word of English. His Aunty took on the great responsibility of caring for her two nephews and neice whilst she already had two young children of her own. Their extended family has united as one, but life is not easy as a single parent with 5 children to care for.

I do not believe that you should have to be wealthy to persue sporting success. This should be an opportunity open to any young, talented athlete reaching for their dreams.

This fund has so far assisted Elias in travelling to Sydney to compete in his first Australian Junior Championships.
We flew up on Qantas and stayed at the Quest appartments across from the Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre. He competed in both the 400m & 800m events. He qualified for the finals in both events, with a pb in his 400m heat.

With a contribution from the Sunbury Little Athletics Centre, Elias was also able to go back to Sydney a couple of weeks later to compete in the Asics Australian Little Athletics Championships (ALAC) for the 800m. This is a privilage to get selected for - as this competition is only for u13's in individual events or u15 for the heptathlon. He was one of 13 boys selected in the Victorian team. He put on an amazing personal best performance of 2:09.99 to take out the gold medal - and his first Australian national medal!

I have also opened an Australian Sports Foundation account for fundraising which makes all donations over $2 tax deductible. If you require a receipt for your donation please process your donation through:
https://asf.org.au/athletes/elias-kahsay/

I have helped Elias with his athletics asperations as much as possible. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated not only by myself but also by Elias and his family, who are always grateful for any assistance.

With lots of assistance we have reached our goal for the 2017/18 season and Elias will now be able to compete stress free knowing he has the funds to get to Sydney at the end of the season. Our fundraising campaign went to extreme lengths this year and with a lot of luck and generousity we were able to pull off a great sports fundraising night with host Megan Hustwaite (SEN1116) chatting to a handful of elite athletes: Jimmy Bartel (AFL - Geelong Champion), Adam Tomlinson (AFL - GWS Player), Elise O'Dea (AFLW - Melbourne player), Daniel Harford (former AFL player for Hawthorn & Carlton), Will Tomlinson (former professional boxing champion), Barrie Lester (Lawn Bowls champion competing at the Commonwealth Games), Guy Walker (Victorian Bushrangers Cricketer) and Louella Tomlinson (WNBL player for Melbourne Boomers). All of these professionals volunteered their time to raise money for Elias....and that we did!!

Photo: Kadek Thatcher Photography

Photo: Kadek Thatcher Photography

Photo: Kadek Thatcher Photography

Photo: Kadek Thatcher Photography

Photo: Kadek Thatcher Photography