Samuel Johnson, well k
nown the Australian actor, is setting off on February 15th on a marathon 15,000 KM unicycle ride around Australia, to raise $1 Million for breast cancer.
Samuel has contacted the AUS to invite all Australian unicyclists to join in and help out with this mammoth ride, which is going to take him a year to complete!
Here's what Samuel has to say to all unicycle riders:
Hello!
My name is Samuel Johnson. My sister has terminal breast cancer.
She is the mother of two beaut boys and as such is keen for me to help her remind every mum in the land to be breast aware.
How? Well, starting on the 15th of February, 2013 I will ride my unicycle around the entire country, hitting up hundreds of communities and every capital city.
We are officially attempting to break the Guinness world-record for longest distance traveled on a one-wheeler (15,000 kms) and are proud of our lofty aim to raise $1 million for the Garvan Research Foundation.
It's called the Love Your Sister Ride and will take an entire year to complete.
Being that breast cancer is an issue which affects women most directly, we're proud to have the support of a number of high-profile female Australians, including Sigrid Thornton, Noni Hazlehurst, Tottie Goldsmith, Jessica Marais, Kate Langbroek, Chrissie Swan and the inimitable Cathy Freeman.
I'm writing to let you know that I'll be setting off in just a couple of weeks! I was hoping that you might be interested in assisting us on a community level? Our primary aim is to remind every mum, or mum-to-be, in the land to breast aware, and we feel this is best done by engaging directly with the communities we pass through.
We are seeking your assistance in gaining support from your local chapters as we travel. If you could let them know that we are on our way, and ask them to support us in any way they feel able to do so, that would be great.
It might be anything from organising a social event/fundraiser, to rattling a few tins, putting in a good word with their Council, or a billet and a hand with the laundry for the night, or a frozen meal for myself and the crew in the caravan!
To keep it fun we are inviting each town to issue me with a challenge of their choosing! For example, in Bendigo I will 
be drag-racing a tram down the main street on my unicycle. In Junee I'll enter a licorice bowling competition!
Our challenge-based system ensures participation, hilarity and,usually, a chance to engage the local media as well. Essentially, we are hoping to tap into what makes each town unique, and to do so we need your help!
Respectfully and in anticipation,
Samuel Johnson
Determined Unicyclist
You can follow and support Samuel on the Love Your Sister Ride website and also Like them on the Facebook page.
Getting Involved
If you or your club would like to help Samuel directly with any of his ideas above, or suggest any of your own, you can get in touch in a number of ways:
- via the Facebook page
- the Get Involved page on the website
- by email to Em Rooke - the LYS community co-ordinator
- by contacting the AUSÂ secretary and we can put you in touch by phone.
Melbourne Riders
You can help with a big send off for Samuel this Friday the 15th at 12pm in Federation Square - see the Facebook Event page for details.
If you or your club are getting involved, riding or doing something to help support or raise funds, please also let the AUS website know!
About Samuel Johnson:
Samuel is best known for his work on dramas such as 'The Secret Life of Us', 'Crackerjack', 'Underbelly II' and 'Rush', but has also guested on everything from 'Spicks n Specks' to 'Talkin' Bout Your Generation', and was the subject of Australian Story's 'The Sum of Sam'. In 2000, Samuel was awarded the Centenary Medal in the Queen's Honour's List for Services to the Arts and Society.
Samuel has a track record in long distance unicycle rides for charity!