Keegan Taberner’s yacht Themistocles is on the hard under repair, but his dream to help young people with diabetes is still under full sail.
The grads at Keegan’s alma mater, Timberline Secondary, presented the 18-year-old diabetic sailing fundraiser with a cheque for more than $2,200 Friday. The cheque from the Timberline Grad Legacy Fund is payable to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and brings Keegan’s recent fundraising efforts to about $10,000.
Timberline Principal Kevin Harrison says: “Last year’s grads wanted to do something good for the community.
“The money they raise they donate in part to groups ranging from the SPCA to sending kids to Africa to work and this is an important part of that. It is a very altruistic thing they do.”
This summer Keegan and his friend Carsen Black, 18, embarked on a 39-day adventure circumnavigating Vancouver Island.
Themistocles hit a rock near Sooke and the 1,700 kilometre journey was cut short by two weeks.
Themistocles in under repair at the Ocean Pacific boatyard in Campbell River and will soon be up for sale.
Keegan is studying to take his real estate agent’s exam and wants to write a short novel about his Odyssey on behalf of diabetes research.
Keegan says: “I will always be involved fundraising for juvenile diabetes and we are still collecting donations.”
He says people can donate by visiting his website at keegantaberner.com.