Action Jaxon takes on Eureka challenge

A 15-year-old cystic fibrosis sufferer will face the race of his life when he takes on the 88-storey Eureka Climb next month.

Jaxon Urlichs, from Manor Lakes, is hitting the stairs as much as he can ahead of the mammoth challenge, which he hopes to complete in 15 minutes this year.

The year 9 MacKillop College student will be among thousands to walk, run or climb the 1642 stairs to Eureka’s level 88 sky deck, the highest observation deck in the southern hemisphere.

It’s Jaxon’s second time on the climb, which he completed in 17 minutes last year.

“It was easier than I thought it would be,” he said. “It was nerve-wracking, but once I started running it was easy.”

Jaxon, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of five weeks, said being active helped him stay healthy.

People with cystic fibrosis develop an abnormal amount of excessively thick and sticky mucus in the lungs, airways and digestive system because of a malfunction in the exocrine system.

Apart from the stair climb, Jaxon also plays basketball with the Iramoo Spiders and recently completed his first 10-kilometre fun run, which took just over an hour.

To sponsor Jaxon, go to www.eurekaclimb.com.au