Luke Taylor: Kwinana local born weighing 624g wants to break a world record while running for Telethon

Kwinana man Luke Taylor will try to break the world record for the greatest distance run over seven days on a treadmill.

The treadmill trek will take place on Kwinana’s Medina Oval, where Mr Taylor aims to cover 1000km and break the 843km world record.

Starting on October 12 and concluding on the Telethon weekend, Mr Taylor aims to raise $800,000 to reflect the 8 per cent of babies born prematurely each year in Australia.

The 28-year-old was born at 24 weeks, weighing just over 625g, and spent months of his infancy in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Mr Taylor said he understood the critical importance of support for premature infants.

“I am supporting the charity Running for Premature Babies, which will help raise awareness and money for life-saving equipment for premature babies across Australia, helping to give them a fighting chance at survival,” he said.

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

He is aligning the fundraiser with Telethon as he said the charity played a significant role during his early months of neonatal care.

Last year, to support the charity, he ran from Rockingham to Perth and back, spanning 100km, which helped him raise more than $6000.

“Without Telethon’s funding, I strongly believe I wouldn’t be here today,” Mr Taylor said.

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