Amelia Lukes
Amelia is 15 years old and has never taken on a challenge like this. She was diagnosed as a baby with left sided Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy and will be using walking poles to help her get to the top of the mountain. She has also experienced epilepsy, a brain tumor, learning and cognitive difficulties as a result of her CP, but will not let any of this stop her reaching her goal.
Through the support of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance's therapy and sports programs, Amelia was able to participate and thrive in activities she otherwise would not have had access to. She is now very passionate about sport, particularly football so we will all be dressing up in her team's colours for the walk - the Parramatta Eels!
Eric Barrett O’Keefe
Eric is a trailblazer and passionate disability advocate. Eric is 25 years old and a valued member of CPActive, CPA’s advocacy community, and has been involved in the Blaze the Trail campaign, meeting Ministers to influence change. He speaks authentically on his experience with the education system and is passionate about fixing the problems he faced so young people don’t have the same experience. He’s also interning at the ABC, interested in IT and production, and social connection is really important to him. He was inspired to participate in Kosci by his partner Sophie, who took part in the first Krazy Kosci Klimb. He’s keen to improve his fitness and give back to CPA.
Nate Castelli
Fourteen-year-old Nate has a smile that lights up a room, he’s also super sporty, ambitious and wants to change people’s expectations about what’s possible. Nate has been involved in athletics for a number of years, and was selected to represent the NSW team at the 2022 and 2023 Australian little athletics championships. Nate loves to learn and communicates with sign language, and is keen to share this skill with others. He’s really excited about the challenge of tackling Kosci so he can cross off the list of things people say he can’t do. His favourite song is On Top Of The World by Imagine Dragons, and he can’t wait to reach the peak with his biggest cheerleaders – mum and dad.
Jaleyah Merrero
Fourteen-year-old Jaleyah is a vibrant, creative, brave young lady with a zest for life and gift for drawing. She loves to illustrate Japanese characters and her hero is anime character Tanjiro Kamada. Jaleyah is really excited about conquering Kosci with her Mum, Dad, Uncle and Aunt and can’t wait to cross the finish line to her team song: Celestial by Ed Sheeran. She likes to keep fit by swimming and is in training for Kosci, practising with CPA’s Swim Squad. A free spirit, Jaleyah’s motto is 'go with the flow. '
Liliana Hill
At 7 years old Liliana is the youngest ever participant to scale the mighty Kosci mountain. She takes her inspiration from hero Superwoman who is strong and can do anything, and her motto is “always be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.” Liliana is carefree, resilient and always happy, and she loves arts and crafts and rainbows. She’s motivation to climb Kosci to see what’s at the top of the mountain, maybe there’ll be rainbows or clouds! She loves to challenge herself and is enjoying regular bush walks in preparation for the climb.
Isaac Logan
14-year-old Isaac is passionate about swimming, in fact he’s in the water so often it’s no wonder his Kosci theme name is Ocean. Isaac has been part of the CPA Swim, tri camps and the 20/20 challenge and is dedicated to training 5 nights a week. His weekends are action packed with swimming competitions.
Isaac's ultimate goal is to compete at the Commonwealth Games, or the Paralympics and he hopes to become a marine biologist and try free diving.
When Isaac isn’t swimming, he manages to squeeze in some less hectic hobbies; he loves a game of Dungeons and Dragons, Pokémon and Legend of Zelda. He’s also a bit of a social butterfly and comedian, well known for always wearing a smile and having a wicked sense of humour. Isaac can’t wait to tackle Kosci with his mum, dad and disability support worker, Shenai who will cheer him on all the way to the top!
Thomas Molloy
19 year old Tom Molloy is a champion with a big heart and a sense of humor to match. A fun-loving and outgoing young man, Tom has a passion for sports and animals. A regular visitor to his family farm in Dubbo, he is studying animal care at TAFE.
Tom’s boundless energy is channelled into various sports and activities, such as surfing, swimming, Sense Rugby, ten-pin bowling, and skiing. Tom has Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 and has been receiving support from his physiotherapist, Olivia Walsh, at CPA Erina for the past two years. Olivia is impressed with Tom's dedication and hard work towards building his physical abilities:
"In the gym, Tom is often seen slamming battle ropes, upwards inclining on the treadmill, bounding down the hallway, and chest bumping his very active and motivating support worker," Olivia says.
As well as training in the gym, Tom and Olivia plan to make practice walks in January around their local area in the lead up to the climb. Tom will be Supported by his parents, Michael and Kylie and has chosen a favorite - and very appropriate - theme tune, "We Are The Champions" by Queen.
Liam Togher
14- year old Liam loves all things Harry Potter. He’s also a keen swimmer, Minecraft player and LEGO enthusiast. He enjoys playing the piano and listening to Ed Sheeran and Coldplay.
Liam became inspired to join the Krazy Kosci Klimb after hearing stories from his friends who participated and loved it. Keen to give back to Cerebral Palsy Alliance, who has supported him his whole life, Liam will be climbing with his Mum, Jennifer, Dad, Mark and brother Quinn. Together they’ll be fundraising by doing a sausage sizzle, book sale and social media campaign.
Team Liam plan to have lots of fun and will be dressed in full Harry Potter regalia in a Gryfindor theme. Most of all Liam is looking forward to the spectacular view from the peak of the mountain.
Liam has right side hemiplegia cerebral palsy and finds hiking on uneven surfaces challenging, so his family are going to train together; going for neighbourhood walks on paved surfaces and walks around Balmoral and Narabeen Lagoon to enjoy nature.
Tilly Avramides
Tilly is a little ray of sunshine and isn’t afraid to use her voice. At the age of 10 she’s already an advocate for people with CP, having been an ambassador for STEPtember in 2023. Tilly loves to be included in fundraising, and now can’t wait to challenge herself to take on the mighty Mount Kosciuszko with her family.
Mum Jo, Dad Christian, sister Olive, and brother Jack will be climbing with Tilly. They’re an active bunch and are already in training, and can’t wait to cross the finish line to Tilly’s favourite song, The Climb by Miley Cyrus. This song really reflects Tilly’s journey and determination. Born with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV), Tilly's family was given the diagnosis of Spastic Diplegic CP around her first birthday.
As she has got older, Tilly was introduced to the wonderful world of frame running, she absolutely loves that this enables her to stand up and run. The smile on her face is contagious when she’s frame running and hanging out with her “CP Girl Gang”, all with walkers, sticks and wheelchairs.
Tilly is also a bit of a book worm and loves a good story. She recently played her favourite character, Glinda from the Wizard of Oz in her school play. One day she’d love to be a day care teacher and help to spark the imaginations of other children.
Liam Barnett
Liam B is an adventurous 12 year old who is always on the go and enjoys spending time in the great outdoors. Vanessa, his Mum, has always encouraged Liam to explore his hobbies, which include mountain biking, fishing, playing Austag, and rugby with his team, The Woy Woy Lions.
Diagnosed with CP when he was 2, Liam has not let that stop him from pursuing his passions, with support from his family and the CPA staff and therapists on the central coast. The sports programs in particular have played a large role in building up Liam’s confidence to take on new challenges and meet new friends.
Liam also has two dogs, Billy & Ziek, and is just starting to learn about household chores – another new challenge and important life skill for a soon-to-be teenager to learn.
With his cousins by his side Liam can’t wait to conquer Mount Kosciszco!
Daniela Gargaro
Daniela is a true adventurer at heart, always seeking to push herself beyond her limits. That's why climbing Kosciusko has been at the top of her bucket list for ages, and she's finally getting the chance to tackle it head-on.
With her boundless energy and can-do attitude, she's sure to make it to the top and inspire everyone around her. Daniela is a fitness fanatic and can often be found hitting the gym. She's also a skilled gardener and loves to ride her bike.
Daniela has right hemiplegia CP and has regular physio and personal training to maintain her fitness.
When she's not out exploring the great outdoors, Daniela enjoys her work as an administrator and sport orientation coach at primary schools. She's passionate about helping young people discover their potential and achieve their dreams. But Daniela's biggest passion of all is advocating for people with disabilities.
Her hero is the legendary Dylan Alcott, and she's determined to follow in his footsteps and make a difference in the world. That's why she's so excited to participate in the Krazy Kosci Klimb and raise funds for a cause she truly believes in. With her neon 80s gear and unstoppable spirit, Daniela is ready to conquer the climb and show the world what she's made of. And who knows? Maybe her next adventure will take her around the globe! She’s got her sights set on Italy and the US and lives by her motto to “live life to the fullest and never give up”.
Jacob Davidt
Meet 13-year-old Jacob, a young adventurer who thrives on challenges! With his sights set on conquering the magnificent peak of Kosciuszko Jacob is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation. He'll been taking long walks in the mountains and by the river near where he lives and working hard with his physio to boost his strength and endurance.
Jacob's family will be right by his side, cheering him on every step of the way and helping him raise funds for this epic adventure. But Jacob is not just a mountain climber! When he's not training, you can find him swimming, bowling, going on CP camps, or playing video games. And with big dreams of becoming a professional gamer and an Olympic swimmer, this young man is destined for greatness!
Rachael Vella
Happy go lucky 19-year-old Rachael is always up for a challenge, in fact her nickname is FOMO (fear of missing out) so she jumped at the chance to take part in Krazy Kosci Klimb.
Her biggest love is swimming, and as a para swimmer, she's participated in swim and triathlon camps with her friends in the CPA community. Her dream is to teach disabled people to swim, and she believes that "you can do anything you want, you just have to do it differently."
Krazy Kosci Klimb will be a challenge for the whole family – Mum Alison, Dad Michael, sister Caitlin and cousin Jade will all be climbing the mountain by Rachael’s side. Alison commented that when it gets physically tough she’ll have in the back of her mind that Rachael and other people with CP go through this pain and frustration every day.
“What never ceases to amaze me is no matter how tired or how much pain Rachael is in, she’s always smiling and happy " said Alison.
When Rachael’s not swimming or training for sporting events, she works at Sydney Catholic Schools with an All Ability sports program, which helps to create opportunities for people with disability. To relax and keep her seizures under control she taps into her creative side, crocheting blankets and beanies and enjoys art.
Eadie Ross
Adventure-seeker Eadie is jumping for joy about taking part in the Krazy Kosci Klimb. Eadie’s can-do attitude combined with a love of exercise meant that she didn’t take much persuading when her first ever CPA therapist, Tammy Wolfenden, encouraged her to apply. Tammy commented that,
“Eadie is one determined girl who sets a goal and doesn’t let things get in her way. I have known Eadie and her family since she was about 18 months old. Working with families like Eadie’s reminds me how we at CPA make a difference in our client’s lives right from initial diagnosis. Her family are such strong advocates for Eadie and don’t let her CP be a barrier for her hopes and dreams.”
Eadie is a sport enthusiast and all-round busy bee, whose never happier than when she’s in the pool swimming, playing soccer, hand ball or frame-running. Being in an active family with a sister who into multiple sports, Eadie is loving the opportunity to have her own activity and is feeling really motivated to work towards this hugely exciting goal.
Eadie loves nature so climbing Kosci is a dream come true. She is currently training by doing some long bush walks in local Glenrock and Greenpoint reserves. Currently her average training distance is 6km with her Spiral Skins and AFO (Ankle Foot Orthoses) on to help. She requires some assistance on uneven surfaces and steps without handrails but has improved already.
On the rare occasion she’s not being sporty she enjoys playing with friends, loves anything involving animals and kicking back with a good chai. Really, any activity is preferable to cleaning her room!
Eadie is also a bit of a rock chic at heart and will be celebrating her climb by going to see Foo Fighters and Pink in concert. Eadie’s motto is:
“You can achieve anything with hard work and support. Hopefully, me reaching a goal like the Kosci climb will inspire other children and families with a disability to have a go, try anything and set goals.”
