CHARITY

Marayke is  the founder and President of the not for profit Sporting Dreams, which aims to change lives through sport for athletes with disabilities by providing funding grants so they can reach their full potential.

A pair of running shoes costs $100, racing wheelchair to compete on the exact same track is $7000.

Marayke hopes to take away some of these barriers and provide mentoring to ensure the next generation of athletes have the opportunities she’s had.

She says it is the culmination of a life long ambition to give something back to the disability sporting community, which has given her so many opportunities and has made her the person she is today.

“I see sporting dreams as not only a way to help individual athletes, but as an opportunity to inspire and excite Australians about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and the abilities of all people with disabilities. I believe we are changing lives through sport.”

The fund came about when Marayke won the inaugural Fun Fearless female award from Cosmopolitan magazine and was presented with a cheque for $10,000. Typical of her selfless nature, she decided to use the funds to help future athletes.

Marayke now donates a portion of her speakers fee to Sporting Dreams.

If you would like to know more visit the sporting dreams website www.sportingdreams.org