Tuesday, April 23

More on Samuel Johnson swimming with crocodiles

While every inch of my being may have been shaking like a nervous wreck, on the outside I liked to think I was holding it altogether. Waiting out the front of Crocosaurus Cove to meet up with Samuel Johnson was some of the most exciting fifteen minutes of my life. Though this excitement level was quickly surpassed once he actually arrived.

In fact my excitement levels began to rise the moment I first spotted the Boob Mobile arrive
The Boob Mobile. Sam and the gangs home for the next ten months
Actually I felt like a bit of a stalker watching them from across the street and slyly taking photos. I contemplated going over and introducing myself prior to the designated meeting time but in the end chickened out. I knew my moment of glory was coming and I some how managed to wait for it.

From the moment the man in pink walked in my direction, smile on his face and hand stretched out ready for introduction I began to feel slightly more at ease. I just kept reminding myself that at the end of the day he is simply a little brother trying to fulfil his dying sister's dare. And hopefully save someone else's sister from a similar fate.

As much as there was a part of me that would have liked to have sat down and asked some hard hitting questions about how one copes with the news that their big sister's life has suddenly been cut short, there was a much larger part of me that knew I just wasn't up for such a conversation. Plus there were much more pressing issues at hand, like was he sure the crocodiles had been adequately fed?

Chopper the croc Sam swum with.
While Sam is making his journey across the country Connie, his sister, has asked for as many people as possible to come up with crazy dares for her brother to do. 

One of which included taking a dip with a croc. 

Mind you it was not just any old croc.

No, Sam, and a lucky raffle winner, were taking the plunge into the tank of Chopper. One of the largest, meanest looking crocs at the cove.

The Bendigo Bank, one of the Love Your Sister platinum sponsors sold raffle tickets in the local branches for one lucky supporter to swim with Sam and Chopper. Which was a brilliant idea, though just between you and me I had hoped that Sam was planning a solo swim, so I could have offered to keep him company!
Mick and Mick.
Mick on the left is a Customer Relationship officer
from the local Bendigo Bank.
Mick on the right is the lucky duck that gets to go
in the cage of death with Sam.

The truly great thing about LYS having sponsors such as Bendigo Bank, Jayco, Dominoes, and Vodafone, (to name but a few, for a full list go here) means that all funds raised, go directly to cancer research. The support given to this venture is beyond amazing and makes my heart swell, as I am sure it does Sam's.

If you would like to donate to Love Your Sister, you can do so in person at any Bendigo Bank, or online here. Donations over $2 are tax deductible and all monies raised go directly to breast cancer research.

With nearly 4000kms under his belt already and just under $170, 000 raised, there is still a long way for Sam to go to reach his one million dollar goal.

As much as breast cancer is a disease that attacks women it is also a disease the leaves a lasting effect on men who are close to those it attacks. Breast cancer affects us all in one way or another. Please help the final answers to the cure to be found sooner rather than later.

I think one of the things that I love most about the Love Your Sister campaign is that it is three young men out there trying to spread breast cancer awareness. Sam is kept company on the road by what I imagine is the best support crew ever with nephew Jonno and buddy Leighton by his side. 

Back to Sam and swimming in the cage of death though.

As you can see, old Chopper can get pretty excited once you start swinging a bit of meat around
As you can also see, Sam and Mick get a bit excited as well.
Actually even without dipping my toes in the water I got pretty excited too. It was after all a pretty exciting kind of day. Though there is certainly no denying that Sam was the most excited amongst us.
Sam shares what it was like swimming with Chopper.
An animal lover and enthusiast, Samuel had nothing but wonder, awe and a whole heap of respect for the majestic creature that he got to get up close and personal with. Something not many get to do even if it is in the safety of the cage of death.

But then again riding your unicycle for 15, 000km  is not something just any old body could do either.

As you read this Sam is on his way west. Once again heading along some of the toughest roads this country has to offer. He has another three weeks in the saddle ahead of hime. All in the name of loving his sister, in a bid to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer.

Make sure you check out the planned route to see when the Love Your Sister crew are in a town near you. Please head down and give them a cheer when they are about. And in the meantime, check your boobies and remind all the women in your life to do the same.

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Joining in with Jess and the gang for IBOT

26 comments:

  1. This guy is just an absolute legend! He is going to help so many people. I'm glad he's having a ball along the way.

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    1. He sure is a legend and quite an inspirational one at that. The whole teams take on life is uplifting

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  2. What an awesome guy and a fantastic cause. Raising awareness is so important and all the bloggers that are involved in this are just as amazing.

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    1. Yep the awareness creation is just as important as the fundraising.

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  3. Fantastic reporting and vibrant action shots, Rhianna, well done. You actually wanted to go in, no joke?

    My wonderful across the road neighbour John, who is an awesome person and always there to save us in times of need, had his own breast cancer scare the year before last. He's SO lucky his wife made him go check out what she found. Close call.

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    1. Ah yes I wanted to go in, imagine being all close and stuff, omg, my brain frazzles at the mere thought!

      So glad you neighbour got to his lump in time, one percent of all cases being diagnosed are male. Scary stuff hey? My husband had a lump in his a few years ago, but thankfully it was just tissue damage

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  4. So awesome!! I would love to meet him, what an inspiration! And a great message. Sounds like he is just as genuine in real life as he comes across! X Karen

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    1. Yep inspirational and genuine he is. It really was so great to spend a little time with them all.

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  5. The expressions on Sam's face are priceless!! Great captures!

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  6. He's such a great guy! Those croc photos really freak me though! xx

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    1. Great guy doesn't even begin to explain him Lisa. lol about the photos. My Miss 3 didn't like being there at all.

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  7. He looks like a character for sure - what a buzz it must be being involved in this Rhi - great work!

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    1. Sure was a buzz Em, made me feel all kinds of important and special. And yes a true character

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  8. Wow, thank you so much for sharing these posts. Hooray for Sam! What an amazing brother. x

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    1. My pleasure Emily, thanks for reading them all. Hooray for Sam indeed, a very amazing brother

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  9. It's just so sad that this effort is not going to save her. He is such a top bloke.

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  10. I just love this story and his adventure. Such a strong bond that they have.

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  11. Sam is nothing short of amazing. His energy and enthusiasm has always made him one of my favourite actors. I hope he achieves his dream. xxx

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  12. What an incredible story to be a part of Rhi. He seems like an incredible man and his quest is something we can all learn from xx

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  13. Take 2 of comment 1 -

    I can only imagine the vibe Sam had around him was pretty awesome. He's an amazing guy for doing what he's doing.... even if he was dared! I think his sis sounds pretty cool daring him to go on such a huge adventure.

    I hope they reach their 1 million goal. How amazing would that be.

    MC x

    P.S. I secretly wished you'd won the swim in that croc tank with him. What an experience!

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  14. Love the fact you covered that. THIS MAN HAS BALLS as big as his HEART! GO SAM AND CONNIE :)

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  15. Sam is really an inspiration! So great that you got the chance to meet him!

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  16. Such an amazing story, it must have been pretty inspirational to watch. He looks like he's full of life and personality, I'm sure he'll get to one mill! Good luck to him and thanks for sharing!

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  17. I was reading for an underwear comment but it didn't appear!! Disappointed, maybe next time!

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Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses to you, thanks for stopping by, it really means a lot, you taking the time so say hi. I try as much as I can to write a reply but if for some chance I don't get to it please know that I always read them.