By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
KEEN to make a difference, Danielle Kutchel from Berwick will be running up to the highest observation deck in the southern hemisphere next month- something she’d love to do every fortnight.
The Eureka Climb brings thousands of Victorians of all different fitness levels together for a day of stepping to raise funds for disadvantaged youth and support services in the Asia Pacific region.
A runner and keen stair climber, Danielle will be in the timed wave of runners and will conquer the 1642 steps for the second time on Sunday 15 November.
“I’m a fanatical stair climber and I was inspired by the event last year and where the money went which is why I’m doing it again,” Danielle explained.
“I’m hoping to raise more money than I did last year- I’m setting the bar at $250, because I know a lot of people are doing it tough and can’t afford to donate, but every little bit counts.”
Working in communications in Melbourne, Danielle said she saw a lot of homelessness and hoped the money she raised helped someone in a practical way.
“In general, homelessness is going up and no-one should have to live like that.
“Working in the CBD I see a lot of it, so with an event like this even though I don’t know the person the money will directly help, I know I have made a difference to their lives,” she said.
The 23-year-old climbs the Dandenong Ranges thousand steps every fortnight and runs in the Berwick Springs Park Run and loves the Eureka stair climb so much that she’s hooked.
“I will definitely participate next year and the year after that, I’ll do it for as long as I can, until I fall down,” she laughed.
One of the highest vertical races in the world, participants of the annual event have to make it up 88 levels but Danielle said she enjoys the climb.
“You can get into a bit of a routine with your own exercise and when I got to the top last year, I told my parents that I’d love to climb the Eureka Tower every fortnight instead of thousand steps.”
To donate towards Danielle’s climb visit www.eurekaclimb.com.au
