The World’s longest Charity Horse Ride is to set out from Darwin on Sunday June 30 th , 2002 for the most amazing journey through Rural and Regional Australia. The Akta-Vite Campfires Against Cancer team will undertake a 10-month ride from Darwin to Corryong in a quest to raise $500,000 for cancer research in 2002, Australia’s Year of the Outback.

Dan Phegan, Ian James and their Support Crew of Rebeka Grove, Colin Mitchell, Yola Cox, John Williams, Bruce and Dale James (Ian’s Parents), Luke Rusin, Jenny Boardman and David Edrich will ride out of Darwin in a street Parade with fellow horse riders, Motorbike and 4WD enthusiasts and members of the Defence Force.

The first stop is Robbin’s Reserve, between Darwin and Palmerston on the evening of June 30, where the team will set up camp and invite the public and fellow riders to join their campfire and enjoy being part of this very special occasion.

Mr Bruce Campbell MBE, Chairman and Founder of 2002 Year of the Outback; Mr Peter Adamson Darwin Lord Mayor, Mr Brian McCarthy, Northern Territory Cancer Council, The Australian Defence Force, and many more will attend the festivities to show their support.

Mr Campbell, a long time supporter of Dan and Ian’s initiative, has urged all Australians to get behind Akta-Vite Campfires Against Cancer, either by making a donation or by finding some time to spend in the saddle. He paid tribute to the Akta-Vite Campfires Against Cancer team for involving rural communities in the fight against cancer in this Australia’s Year of the Outback. “The funds raised by Akta-Vite Campfires Against Cancer will go towards valuable research to help find a cure,” Mr Campbell said.

While the route takes the team through some isolated areas of rural and regional Australia, Telstra Country Wide will keep them in constant contact with the Australian public through internet, Irridium Satellite and CDMA mobile phones.

World’s Longest Charity Horse Ride Saddles up and Rides on out of Darwin on their 10 month Journey across Australia

"Telstra Country Wide is proud to support Akta-Vite Campfires Against Cancer", said Mr Donald McGauchie, Chairman of Telstra Country Wide. "Telstra Country Wide takes its role very seriously, not just as a telecommunications company, but as a partner with regional communities."

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has also announced their support for the appeal by making its branches available across Australia for public donations and making a donation in the start-up phase. Announcing the Commonwealth Bank’s support, Jill Lester, the Banks Head, Group Corporate Relations, said that cancer was a national issue and that one in every three Australians develop some form of this illness.
“This disease can touch anyone at anytime.” Ms Lester said. “It is vital therefore that research continues and that corporate Australia plays a role in supporting this research.”
Donations can be made to the Akta-Vite Campfires Against Cancer appeal - account 06 2000 1107
2911 - at any Commonwealth Bank Branch in Australia.

As Australia celebrates the Year of the Outback in 2002, Akta-Vite Campfires Against Cancer seeks to involve all Australians in the fight against cancer. The Team will travel through major outback centres such as Mount Isa, Longreach and Cloncurry, reaching Tamworth for the week of the country music festival in January 2003.

The journey then continues through inland NSW and down to Victoria, reaching the final destination of Corryong on April 10, 2003. This coincides with the opening of ‘The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival’ . The festival will signal the end of the ride. Organisers Dan Phegan, Ian James stress that community involvement is the spirit of the ride. The

Team will stop along the way to "share their campfire" with local communities and have planned concerts and fundraising events to assist in reaching the final goal of $500,000. In conjunction with raffles and other fund raising initiatives, the Team will ask each farm along the route from Goondiwindi to Wodonga to donate a cow or steer. Once the herd is of a suitable size it will be sold, with all proceeds donated to the Cancer Council.

The team extends an invitation to anyone wanting to join them for part of the journey - on horse back, motor bike, four wheel drive - all are welcome. For information please contact Catriona McGauchie 0428 368 371

For Interviews and Pictorial Opportunities please call:
Catriona McGauchie - 0428 368 371 or 0416 230 260
Jenny Boardman – 0429 995 661 or 0429 995 662
Selena Jensen – Pegasus Communications – (03) 9654 1999