Jaxon Taylor has been recognised for his huge contribution to the local community with a $20,000 grant from Westfield Parramatta.
Westfield destinations across Australia – including Parramatta – have recently announced the 2024 recipients of the Westfield Local Heroes program.
Now in its seventh year, the Westfield Local Heroes program recognises and celebrates the individuals and organisations dedicated to their local communities and environment.
The successful hero from each of the 42 Westfield destinations is awarded a $20,000 grant for the organisation or group they represent, with remaining finalists each receiving a $5,000 grant.
Westfield Parramatta Centre Manager Leanne Tompkins said they were thrilled to announce the Westfield Local Heroes 2024 grant recipients and recognise the positive change they are driving in the local community here in Parramatta.
“Our hero, Jaxon Taylor from New South Wales Power Chair Football, is making a difference in the community through using his life experience to mentor young players at power chair football,” she said.
“As we round out the seventh year of the program, we continue to be amazed by the incredible contributions these individuals make, and we’re excited to shine a light on their achievements.”
Born with Muscular Dystrophy, Taylor uses his life experience to mentor young players at New South Wales Power Chair Football.
Inspiring others through his resilience and positivity, his efforts impact around 100 people, including families and the wider community.
Taylor said it was an honour to be announced as the recipient of the $20,000 grant.
“Being named the Westfield Local Hero for Westfield Parramatta is so exciting,” he said.
“It’s such an honour, especially considering some of the beautiful work done by the other grant recipients.”
He said the $20,000 would mean the world to his fellow athletes.
“This money is going to do wonders for the growth of the powerchair football community and I’m so glad that so many people see the significant impact that the NSWPFA contributes,” he said.
Taylor said the grant will be used to help pay for a Powerchair that can be loaned to players who cannot afford one themselves.
Runners-up Hedayat Osyan, Founder and CEO of CommUnity Construction, and Westmead Hospital Foundation volunteer Professor Jeremy Chapman both received a $5,000 grant for the amazing work they do in the local community.
Earlier in the year, Australians were called upon by Westfield to nominate local heroes who go above and beyond to make a positive impact to their local community or environment.
A public vote saw a record number of votes cast by 71,500 community members, selecting the successful grant recipient at each Westfield destination.
Nominations for the 2025 Westfield Local Heroes program are now open, with the public encouraged to nominate.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.