Article from Border Mail Albury

Ride Of Their Lives

Bec Grove leads some of the riders in training for their big ride across Australia. Campfires for Cancer organiser Danny Phegan with some of the riders who will take part in the 10 month fundraiser. Sue Wallace speaks to a horseman about to embark on a ride across Australia. Weekend Extra -DANNY Phegan's dream of riding from Darwin to Corryong to raise money for cancer research will become a reality next year. It started eight years ago after his grandfather, a well known stock buyer for 51 years, Mr Herbert Freyer, died from cancer. Danny started thinking about ways to raise money for research.

He discussed his plans with good friend Ian James, who had lost his best mate Duane Boswell to cancer and there was no stopping them.Campfires Against Cancer was underway. Long time pony club friends, Yola Cox from Tooma and Colin Mitchell from Corowa didn't hesitate when asked if they'd be interested in joining the ride. They will leave Darwin on June 30 with a support crew on the 10-month epic horse ride and cattle drive to the Upper Murray. They hope to raise $500,000 for cancer research.

The ride has been endorsed by the Cancer Council as a major fundraiser. Danny, 25, who lives on a small farm in Wirlinga, is a real estate agent by day and a musician by night. His horse-riding heritage dates back to his grandfather, who was an excellent horseman and a willing teacher, to anyone wanting to learn to ride. An active member in Police Youth Pony Club in Albury for many years, Danny has followed in both his grandfather's and father's footsteps as a riding teacher.

He has taught riding in Australia and the U.S. Ian, 33, has been involved with horses for 22 years and has been an instructor at Wirlinga Pony Club for 12 years. He has also taught riding overseas and was part of the first Australian Camel Racing Team to tour the United Arab Emirates in February 1998. Ian works as a rates manager at Hume Shire Council.

Months of planning and hard work have gone into the initial stages of the ride. The hardest thing is finding sponsorship - they need about $50,000 to cover fuel and food costs over the 10 months. But they are passionate about their cause and hope to find willing sponsors.
``We have all lost close friends and relatives to different forms of cancer, and are continually inspired by the courage of those who are fighting to beat the disease,'' Ian said.`` We believe that with enough funding, all forms of cancer can be beaten.

``It is simply a matter of time and research, but without money there can be little research.
``We will be traveling through major outback centres such as Mount Isa, Longreach, Charleville and then reaching Tamworth for the week of the country music festival in January 2003.''
``We will then make our way inland through NSW and down to Victoria to reach our final destination in Corryong to coincide with the opening of the Man From Snowy River Bush Festival which will the highlight the end of our ride. '' Danny said as well as raffles and other fund raising ideas, we will be asking each farm along the route, from Goondiwindi to Wodonga, to donate a cow or steer.`` Once the herd is of a suitable size and of a suitable condition, they will be sold and all proceeds will be donated to the Cancer Council - it will be a continual process of building up and selling off.'' Riders can also join the ride at a cost of $50 per day, per person - BYO everything - and the fee will be donated to the Cancer Council.
``Our campfire will be shared with anyone who wants to help us with our project,'' Danny said. Ian is not overwhelmed by the scale of their project . . . he believes that anything is possible - but only if you try! `` If I could do anything in the world I would get everyone to do something just a little out of their comfort zone - at least once a day,'' he said. Danny finds his inspiration from his grandfather, patriotism, Sydney Olympics and the Australian Team and all the diggers.`` If I could do anything I would tell everyone in the world that I am a bloody Australian and proud of it.'' The support crew also includes Ian's parents, Dale and Bruce James, Lucas Rusin, Rebecca Dean, Rebecca Grove, Benny Andersen, Bob Readding and Danny's father, Warwick Phegan.
The riders agree it will be a huge challenge but can't wait to get started. They have planned to use the 10 months to expand their skills and interests. Yola plans to further her study of Parelli horsemanship, Danny complete his valuation course and Ian pursue his interests of bush craft. Yola's husband Rob and three daughters will ride part of the way with her.
``Everyone has been really supportive and we appreciate all the help we are getting - we are determined to succeed to raise this money,'' Yola said. They are also realistic that 10 months on a horse is a long time.`` We may get sick of each other along the way but there will always be plenty to do,'' Danny said. `` It is going to be one hell of an adventure and we can't wait to get started.'' For more information log on to: www.campfires.org.au
A fund raising auction night will be held at the Tooma Hotel on October 26 at 7pm. Items to be auctioned include a beach holiday, a scenic joy flight over the Upper Murray, a brumby weanling and other services and products from local businesses. Ron Turton of Water Tower Shoe Repairs in Wodonga is donating $5 to Campfires Against Cancer from every pair of leather sandals