POPULAR Australian actor Samuel Johnson will visit Port Macquarie later this month during a 15,000km ride around Australia on his unicycle.
Known for his television roles in Secret Life of Us and more recently Rush, Samuel is also a brother, and in 2012 received the devastating news that his 34-year-old sister Connie was not only battling her third bout of cancer, but that this time it was terminal.
To the amusement, and pride, of his sister, their family and his friends, Samuel decided that he needed to not only raise money and awareness for breast cancer research, but that he needed to do something crazy to put a smile on his sister’s face, hence the decision to ride around Australia on a unicycle.
“Port Macquarie has been included on my itinerary because of their enthusiasm for Love Your Sister,” Samuel said.
“The aim of this crazy journey is to raise $1 million and encourage people not to fall into the booby trap and be breast aware.
“I have put out the invite for the community to come along on this day and support me on my challenge.”
The Bendigo Bank is a major supporter of Samuel’s ride and when Samuel does arrive in town, bank branch staff, special guests and locals will be waiting to cheer him on.
Branch manager Kerry Lumby said her staff was proud to support the Love Your Sister appeal and would accept donations in the branch for the cause.
“What’s significant with this appeal is that money raised is not going to an individual, it is going to the Garvan Medical Research Institution as they continue their work into breast cancer research,” Mrs Lumby said.
Samuel is scheduled to ride into town on 26 November, and there will be a special event to welcome him from 3-5pm at the branch, which is located at 2/158 Lake Road.
The fun will include special appearances by League legend and NRL ambassador David Peachey and Gold Medal Olympians Ryley Batt and Lauren Kitchen. There will also be a pass-the-ball competition with the Port Macquarie Sharks RLFC, a pink barbecue, face painting and balloons, delicious coffee and drinks, Bendigo Bank mascot Piggy vs Sam pushbike race and a huge raffle with amazing prizes up for grabs.
Entry is by gold coin donation.
