World’s Longest Charity Horse Ride Saddles up
@ Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre – Sydney

The Worlds Longest Charity Horse Ride will be launched in Sydney tomorrow, Tuesday 4 June at 11am. Dan Phegan, Ian James and the Akta-Vite Campfires Against Cancer team are to be farewelled by Celebrities, business leaders and Australian personalities as they depart on a journey that will take over 10 months riding from Darwin to Corryong, Victoria in a bid to raise money for research into a cure for cancer.

Joining the team to show their support tomorrow are Steve Jefferys, famed for his ride at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympics; Jim Rogan who rode with Steve in the Olympic Opening Ceremony and then discovered the next day he had prostate cancer, Sara Storer, a leading country music artist who will be performing her single Trail of Dreams; Colin Munro, the Ambassador for the Year of the Outback; Dr. Andrew Penman, CEO of The Cancer Council and many more.

Jill Lester, Head of Group Corporate Relations for the Commonwealth Bank will be announcing the bank's involvement with the team and sponsorship details. The bank has opened up their Branch Network and Banking facilities to receive donations from the public.

Jimmy Rogan is Australia’s Leading Rodeo Pick-up man and has been working with Steve Jefferys on many other projects including the new Man from Snowy River performance. After taking part in the Opening Ceremony Jim was told he had prostate cancer. Despite having had his prostate removed and the things that go along with that he still performs at Rodoes and lives life to the fullest. We are very proud to have Jim riding with us tomorrow.

Dan Phegan, the founder of Akta-Vite Campfires Against Cancer will be inviting members of the audience tomorrow to spend some time in the saddle to get a feel for what he and his team will be living for the next 10 months.

As Australia celebrates the Year of the Outback in 2002, Campfires Against Cancer seeks to involve all Australians in the fight against cancer.The Team will be travelling through major outback centres such as Mount Isa, Longreach and Charleville, 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.

The Team will be stopping along the way to "share their campfire" with local communities and there are concerts and fundraising events planned to assist in reaching the final goal of $500,000.