By Ali Mason

A local resident soon will travel nearly 10,000 miles to represent his community and state in the Down Under International Games.

Jared Biedrycki, a senior at Patrick County High School (PCHS), was asked to represent Virginia on the 2018 Track and Field Team in a series of competitions that are slated to be held on the Gold Coast of Australia.

He is hoping for donations to help offset the costs of travel and other expenses.

“Fundraising is an important step to achieve the goal of competing on the international stage,” according to a brochure Biedrycki received to help prepare the trip.

He also knows that “most things worth doing require some work. I look forward to working towards my goal and getting to know people in my community better,” Biedrycki said, adding the fundraising effort is off to a good start.

To help raise the funds needed for the trip, Biedrycki is selling t-shirts, doing small jobs in the area (such as helping paint an office), and collecting aluminum cans which he then recycles.

Friends have stepped up to help Biedrycki and his father, Stephen Biedrycki.

The elder Biedrycki hosted a wrestling clinic to raise funds and succeeded in raising about 15 percent of the cost of the trip.

Additionally, donations may be made online at a specially designed page. No donation is too small, and 100 percent of the funds will support the costs of travel, meals, housing and uniforms, according to father and son.

Stephen Biedrycki serves a dual role, as both a father and his son’s cross country coach. As such, Stephen Biedrycki will accompany his son on the Australia trip, just as he would to any other competition.

“I am so proud of his commitment to running and training,” the elder Biedrycki said.

Jared Biedrycki has been running since he was in the 7th grade, according to a release. He initially started his adventure with the Stuart Elementary Running Club and later joined the high school team in eighth grade.

Since then he has competed in various events, from cross country to indoor track events. Last summer, Jared Biedrycki competed in his first Mud Run — a military designed course with obstacles, water, and obviously mud.

In Australia, he will both compete for individual honors and help his team win a championship honor, after taking the first few days to get to know his team mates through training and team building exercises.

The team will have a total of seven days to prepare for the three days of competition. Within that time, Jared Biedrycki may enter in up to five individual events and one relay.

His departure date is set for Sunday, July 8.

“I am honored to be an ambassador of not only my community and state, but also my country,” Jared Biedrycki said.

“I still am looking for sponsors to make donations towards the cost of competing down under,” he said, adding “major source of funds comes through voluntary contributions of family, friends, and business sponsors.”

Jared Biedrycki said he hopes everyone who donates or contributes in any way realizes the value of their donation.

“Your sponsorship will be a very important part of fundraising for me and my team. This donation will help me fulfill this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said.

To make a donation, visit http://downundersports.com/payment/4F55EE90D98B.

For more information, contact Stephen Biedrycki on Facebook.