Samuel Johnson sets unicycling world record for his sister, raises $1.4 million for cancer research

WHAT started as a joke between actor Samuel Johnson and his sister turned into a 15,955km journey across Australia, a world record and a motza of cash for cancer research. What a bloke!

Sam, on the road.

ACTOR Samuel Johnson — best known as Evan Wylde from The Secret Life of Us — has ridden across Australia on a unicycle for his sister.

Pulling into Federation Square earlier today, Johnson will set a world record, covering 15,955 kilometres in 364 days.

Dubbing the feat ‘Love Your Sister’, the motivation behind Johnson’s trek is to raise money and awareness of breast cancer, a disease his sister Connie is dying from.

“Connie has fought cancer three times in her life and Samuel has been with her every step of the way,” their fundraising page explains.

“This time things are different. Connie is dying and she doesn’t have much time left.

“Faced with the fight of her life, she set Samuel the toughest challenge she could think of. It started as a joke in the kitchen. It turned into a promise.

News_Image_File: Cycling through the Nullarbor

“The goal? To set a new Guinness World Record for the most distance travelled on a unicycle, raise $1 million and spread Connie’s message of breast cancer awareness.

“Samuel has consulted all the experts, taken none of their advice and he’s setting off on the challenge of a lifetime. He made a promise and is determined to keep it!”

Johnson started his cycle on the 15th of February, 2013. Along the way, he drag-raced down the main street of Bendigo, entered a licorice bowling competition and ploughed across the Nullarbor in scorching heat.

So far, he has raised $1,477,630 towards breast cancer research.

To donate to Love Your Sister, click here

It doesn't get better than this. Incredible effort Sam and Connie Johnson. Modern day heroes. #LYSreturn pic.twitter.com/mqoquDc2bF

— Jo Stanley (@RealJoStanley) February 13, 2014

The current world unicycling record is held by Lars Clausen, who unicycled 14,686.82 kilometres across 48 states of America. At approximately midday today in Melbourne, Johnson will break this record — and give his sister a well deserved hug when she meets him on the finish line.

But the best news? Connie’s cancer is stable.

“I am counting my blessings this week,” she wrote. “The oncology team told me that my cancer is STILL stable and that they are very surprised and very happy about how my treatment is going. They said that after the last year being so successful that this changes my prognosis, and there is a good chance I could still be around in a years time, or maybe even more.

News_Module: Sam arrives in Melbourne to cheering friends and family

“When I was first diagnosed I was told that I might not get to see Willoughby (4 at the time) start school — today I saw Wib start Grade 2 and Hamilton start Grade 1.

“It doesn’t get much better than this, now I just have to strengthen up a bit so I can travel to Melbourne to welcome my awesome little brother home from his epic voyage around the country.”

We’ll be cheering with you, Connie.

News_Image_File: Sam and Connie.

More: Visit the Love Your Sister web page

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