Fundraiser to complement marathon effort
Tayla and Geraldine Taseff with the Purple Peanut.
Camera IconFundraiser to complement marathon effort Tayla and Geraldine Taseff with the Purple Peanut. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Madeley teen ‘spreading the joy’ in new Purple Peanut in preparation for first marathon

Lucy JarvisWanneroo Times

MADELEY teenager Tayla Taseff is sporting a bold set of wheels that will help her train for her first marathon.

The 17-year-old has not let cerebral palsy hold her back, and is already a keen swimmer and horse rider.

She has started training for her first marathon with her father Steve, a feat made possible by the addition of the ‘Purple Peanut’ to her mobility devices.

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WA children’s charity ToyBox International funded the purple racing chair, customised by the team at Dreamfit with the expertise of the technicians from the Ability Centre in Coolbinia.

Mr Taseff recently completed his first marathon and Tayla decided that she would like to join him on his next long-distance venture, prompting the search for her racing chair.

Searching online, her mother Geraldine came across the Purple Peanut and thought it was ideal for Tayla, whose favourite colour is purple.

“Purple Peanut is such a cool racing chair and I cannot wait to take it out, start training and get involved in more community events, which I don’t normally get the chance to do,” Tayla said.

“I like to think that Purple Peanut is like peanut butter; I get to spread the purple-flavoured joy around the community, plus I get to share the experience with my dad.”

The father and daughter duo are training for the HBF 3 Waters Marathon in Bunbury on April 9.

Worth $7500, Purple Peanut is a lightweight, aluminium-framed Axiom Racer, designed to suit Tayla’s height and leg length.

THE Taseffs will hold a ‘Girls time out’ fashion fundraiser for Tayla on March 26 from 2-5pm.

“We are having this Fashions for Tayla fundraiser to help us achieve our goal of getting a modified vehicle for Tayla’s wheelchair,” Geraldine Taseff said.

“It is a huge goal we have but we are hoping having this event and her gala dinner dance in May we will be able to start the process.

“Tayla loves being able to access the events out in the community.

“Teenage socialisation is very important so if she could go out with her friends on her own without mum or dad it would be a huge independent achievement.”

Tickets cost $40 per person for the event at Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth.

Call Geraldine on 0417 978 369 before March 15 to book.