What better way to launch the 2017 Greenacres Mountain to Mountain Challenge than in the very building it helped to create.
Nine months ago it was bare bricks and concrete but now, thanks partly to the over $65,000 raised from last year’s event, the Kickstart Vocational Training Centre is almost complete.
Edgy and industrial with black walls and a vibrant mural, the space is perfect for young people with disability who are transitioning from school into work life.
Greenacres runs a Transition to Work program called Joblink and the current group are counting down the days until they can start using the innovative new centre.
Joblink participant, 21-year-old Sherry Potter from Shellharbour, is hoping the new centre will help her fulfil her dream of working in the disability sector.
Through Joblink I have started work experience at Greenacres Retirement Options helping older people with a disability, Sherry said.
Just being there and being able to help the clients was amazing. One of the clients shook my hand before I left and that made me feel happy and like I’m doing something worthwhile.
I can’t wait to start using the centre to learn the skills I need to work already it looks like a really cool place to hang out.
Greenacres CEO, Chris Christodoulou, said the organisation was thrilled with how popular the event has been with over 2600 people having already taken on the challenge in the last two years.
We have been amazed with how smoothly the first two events have gone with thousands of people having a great day while supporting Greenacres at the same time, he said.
I think the reason the M2M Challenge has been so popular is because it is a rare opportunity to really experience our spectacular escarpment and because the challenge is achievable for a range of ages and fitness levels.
Starting at the base of Mt Keira at Edmund Rice College and finishing at the heights of Mt Kembla, the Mountain to Mountain Challenge will be a 13.6 kilometre run or walk up steep ascents, down deep dips and past some of our region’s most stunning scenery.
After finishing the challenge, participants can celebrate with all the food, fun and entertainment of the Mt Kembla Mining Heritage Festival. A free shuttle service will then take everyone back to Edmund Rice College.
Registrations for the Mountain to Mountain Challenge are now open and participants can register online by logging onto www.m2mchallenge.com.au. An Early Bird registration closes on May 31, with the first 600 registrations receiving a free M2M Challenge singlet.
