A Sunbury teacher is going the extra mile so a talented young boy can live his dream of becoming an elite athlete.
Brooke Caulfield first met Elias, 12, last year when she worked as an integration aide at his primary school.
Elias left Ethiopia in 2011, aged seven, after the death of his parents, travelling to Australia with his older brother and sister.
Extended family here rallied around the youngsters – but life is still a struggle.
Elias made both school and Little Athletics State championships last summer with very little experience, then went on to win a silver medal in the 400-metre event.
He also qualified for the Victorian junior development squad in six other events.
Ms Caulfield nominated Elias for the School Sports Victoria Team Vic 12-year-old boys’ team to trial for the 200-metre and 800-metre events at the School Sports Australia Championships in Sydney in November.
“I attended several athletics days for the school and noticed how naturally talented he was at running,” Ms Caulfield said.
“He was competing against other kids with years of experience, who were wearing the latest designer athletics shoes, and he was beating them.”
She launched an online Gofundme campaign to raise the money to send Elias to the state championships if he makes the team.
“I do not believe that you should have to be wealthy to pursue sporting success,” she said.
Details: gofundme.com/27tp9yc
