Zac Grosser with his uncle Mat at this year’s City to Surf.
Camera IconZac Grosser with his uncle Mat at this year’s City to Surf. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

St Stephen’s School student raises thousands for the Heart Foundation with 12km City to Surf run

Tyler BrownJoondalup Times

WHEN St Stephen’s School student Zac Grosser pounded the pavement in the recent City to Surf, his heart was set on more than finishing the distance.

The Year 9 Duncraig student, who had never run a long distance race before, wanted to raise funds for the Heart Foundation after his uncle Mat suffered a heart attack in 2013.

“At St Stephen’s School, we have a program called Rite Journey which aims to expand our understanding of who we are and where we fit within society,” Zac said.

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“As part of the project, all Year 9 students need to choose a mentor to work with on a project.

“My uncle and I were discussing ideas for Rite Journey when he said ‘how about we run the City to Surf and raise money for the Heart Foundation’.”

Following four months of training, Zac and Mat ran 12km raising more than $2300 for the charity in the process.

“I began training in April, running three times a week Zac said.

“I play some sport but I have never run 12km before.”

Heart Foundation chief executive Maurice Swanson said Zac and Mat had done “a terrific job”.

“We couldn’t continue the fight against heart disease without special people like Zac and Mat,” he said.

N Another youngster fundraising for a cause close to home is Eoin Hoey.

The Heathridge 15-year-old recently tackled the 100-mile off-road Mission for melanomaWA with his father Adrian and uncle Mark Williams, who has stage 3 malignant melanoma, raising $2772.

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