Greek Australian grandfather, Chris Tsalikis is preparing to walk the distance in September, in order to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.
The 82-year-old from East Brighton plans to walk 180 kilometres within 10 days, connecting to all the major hospitals in Melbourne.
From 20 to 29 September, he will start each day from a major Melbourne hospital and walk his way home in an effort to raise $10,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and world-class breast cancer research. He says that he wants to make a difference to the many lives affected by this disease.
“It might sound like a lot, 180 kilometres, but if you’re enjoying what you’re doing, it’s not really that bad. And hopefully I can inspire some elderly people that sit and watch television to take a few steps.”
“I’ve been a very active person, most of my life. I’ve been playing tennis for about 40 years. But now my legs are giving up on me. So I just settled to walking.”
For the last year and a half, Tsalikis has been walking at least five days a week. “I’ve been averaging 15 sometimes up to 20, 24 kilometres a day. I enjoy it. I love it. So I thought instead of doing this for fun, why not do it for a good cause? Why not raise money for this organisation, since my daughter had the unfortunate diagnosis five years ago. Thankfully she is doing alright now.”
Mr Tsalikis adds that he felt that it was time for him to give something back to the community. “I haven’t done anything like this before. Now I can. I no longer have any obligation or financial commitments to anyone.”
Will you walk even if it rains? we ask him.
“If it rains I will enjoy it even more. I love feeling the rain falling on me,” he says with a laugh.
The campaign will end with the sculpture exhibition “Morphe”
Once he completes his ten-day “marathon” hike, Chris Tsalikis, together with artist, Anastasia Nikakis, will present their work in the sculpture exhibition, “Morphe”. Part of their proceeds will be donated to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Foundation.
The opening of the exhibition during the first weekend of October marks the start of the international breast cancer awareness campaign that takes place every year on this month.
Woodcarving is Chris Tsalikis’ other great passion. Every day when he returns from his walk, he goes to his garage and works on his sculptures.
“It keeps me alive, it keeps me healthy. I don’t even know what wood I use. Whatever I find on my walks that I like, I’ll bring home and work on it.”
Chris Tsalikis’ life, after all, is an artistic one, from an early age. He emigrated with his family to Australia from Kozani in 1954, at the age of 15. In his youth he was part of a drama school for nine years, and participated in three films by cinematographer Georgio Mangiamelli.
In fact, one of Mangiamelli’s films, “Clay”, represented Australia at the Cannes Film Festival in 1965, which Tsalikis attended along with many Hollywood stars of that era.
Although he subsequently gave up acting, the plot of “Clay” would inspire him to take up art, and in particular ceramics, for many years before turning to sculpture, which is what he does today.
His message for our readers? “Live every day without worrying about tomorrow. Go outside. Breathe some fresh air and take a few steps. It will do you good. And then maybe your steps will become a few miles…”
The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is Australia’s leading national body funding game-changing breast cancer research with money raised entirely by the Australian public.
Every donation, big or small, will help Chris Tsalikis reach his goal.
Every donation, big or small, will help Chris Tsalikis reach his goal. Photo: National Breast Cancer Foundation