A YOUNG Queensland Catholic teacher has spent her Christmas break trekking around the Brisbane hills training to tackle the demanding Kokoda Track later in the year.
Tracey Lourigan was the first candidate to put her hand up to take part in the Police Citizen Youth Club (PCYC) 2011 Kokoda Trek Adventure.
Tracey has been in training since November and will join 14 other individuals who will walk the 96km track in May.
Between now and then Tracey is undertaking extensive training and fundraising.
“As the main purpose of this challenge, each of us will be raising a minimum of $3000 or more to support PCYC,” she said.
“Together we aim to raise much needed funds to help support the PCYC State Youth Leadership Program and Catalyst program.
“These programs encourage and support young people to make positive changes and decisions in their lives.”
Tracey said training for the trek required her to meet the goal of hiking 30km of hilly terrain in eight hours while carrying a pack each day for seven days.
“The plan is to depart on Saturday, May 14, 2011 with the PCYC team and this adventure will see me trekking for seven days and staying at Port Moresby for two nights before returning to Brisbane on Monday, May 23, 2011.”
She said the walk was about more than being physically challenged.
“This is something I have wanted to do for a very long time. Being a teacher, I find the history of Kokoda fascinating and want to learn more but also want to challenge myself and see what I can achieve,” she said.
Tracey said the St Williams Primary School community at Grovely where she taught in 2010 had helped her start her fundraising challenge and she hoped to receive similar support from St Mary’s Primary School, Maryborough where she would teach in 2011.
“This trek is not only about achieving my personal goal, it is also about raising funds for PCYC so it can better support Queensland youth through successful programs such as SYLP and Catalyst Program for at risk youth,” she said.
The easiest way to make a tax deductible donation is to go to the website http://www.everydayhero.com.au/tracey_lourigan.
Tracey is also hoping fellow Brisbane Catholic Education staff will add their support.
“My $3000 fundraising goal will gives one child the opportunity to grow and become a positive influence in the community by attending the full State Youth Leadership Program (SYLP),” she said.
