Luke Taylor: Kwinana local born weighing 624g running for Telethon and other premature babies

Without life-saving equipment funded by Telethon, Luke Taylor believes he wouldn’t be here today.

The apprentice electrician was born weighing just 624 grams and spent months of his infancy in the neonatal intensive care unit.

To give back in support of the nation’s most heralded annual fundraiser, on Saturday, August 31, Mr Taylor will run from Rockingham to Perth and back.

“I was lucky enough to fight the odds and get through, not without complications growing up and being in and out of Princess Margaret Hospital,” he said.

“I’m very grateful I’m here and appreciative of the funding that helped me.

“I am pretty lucky and fairly healthy now, living a full and normal life.”

As a result of being premature, Mr Taylor had surgeries on his oesophagus and to correct a lazy eye, and he beat a deadly golden staph infection.

After all these childhood battles and aged just eight, the youngest of four siblings then sadly endured the loss of his dad.

“I feel like all these things that have happened to me have shaped me into the person I am today,” Mr Taylor said.

“I try live my life by giving 100 per cent with whatever I do in life.

“Whether it was playing AFL — it didn’t bother me if you were a lot bigger than me on the footy field, I would still give 100 per cent — or doing athletics growing up or my educational studies or currently in life at the moment with my job, training and running or life in general.”

Today, Mr Taylor is a fit 27-year-old who plays footy for Kwinana and has been working with a trainer to prepare for the run.

The gruelling run will take 14 hours and go all day — beginning at 4.15am with an estimated finish time of 6.10pm.

“I honestly couldn’t thank Telethon enough. Without the funding through Telethon, my life could be very different. I’m forever grateful and I hope to give back and raise as much money as possible to help other children like me,” Mr Taylor said.

“Mum’s also appreciative and couldn’t be prouder that I’m doing this.”

Funds raised will go to Telethon and the charity Running for Premature Babies.

“After completing a full marathon and wanting to push myself physically and mentally, I think this 100km run will provide that test for me,” Mr Taylor said.

“I hope to provide the parents, the children and everyone impacted by this uncertainty that the children have a chance of survival and living a happy and healthy life.”

To take on the run challenge, Mr Taylor has surrounded himself with supporters.

“I would like to thank RamsRunning, Physiofitness Perth, Janzekovic_PT ( My personal trainer Jake) for helping me in the lead-up to the run,” Mr Taylor said.

“Also Bix Nutrition for making sure I’m well hydrated throughout the run and my nutritionist Oggi for coming up with a nutrition plan for the day.”

And he would love for people to get down to Baskin Robbins at the Rockingham foreshore when he crosses the finish line on Saturday.

Mr Taylor is among an army of Telethon Challengers raising funds for WA’s much-loved charity.

Telethon is asking all West Australians to “Challenge Yourself” and raise funds for the WA kids who face unthinkable challenges every day of their lives.

Visit telethon7.com/challenge to sign up.

Donations to Mr Taylor can be made via my.fundraising.telethon7.com/fundraise-for-telethon-2024/luke-s-100km-run-1