29 May, 2009: Australian Cricket Captain Ricky Ponting, Australian Rugby Legend Phil Kearns and World Champion Surfer Layne Beachley today joined forces to support Craig Goozee as he set out on a 12,500km ultra marathon to raise money for childhood cancer research.
Craig Goozee is not a famous athlete or celebrity, yet he has set out on an ambitious 12,500km ultra marathon called A2B4C in honour of his daughter, Jessica, who tragically passed away from cancer at the age of nine.
Craig, an ambassador for Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research (CCIA), started his journey today at Australia Square and will run, bike, and kayak his way around the country to finish at Bennelong Point.
Fellow CCIA Ambassador and advocate for childhood cancer Ricky Ponting said Craig’s determination was inspiring.
“This A2B4C marathon is the super-human effort of a dad trying to make a difference. He is an ordinary man doing something quite extraordinary in the memory of his daughter,” Ricky Ponting said.
Rugby legend and CCIA Board member Phil Kearns said Craig was in for a mighty challenge.
“Craig’s journey will be the equivalent of doing a half marathon every day, for the next 92 days, a phenomenal effort that will require mental endurance, confidence and focus,” Phil Kearns said.
Craig’s intention is to raise $1 million to support CCIA’s vital research into the causes, prevention, better treatments and cure of childhood cancer.
“Craig is an engaging and inspirational man. He has shown amazing courage and determination in everything he pursues, from his time as an undercover police detective, to a father who nursed his dying daughter,” said Professor Michelle Haber AM, CCIA Executive Director.
“While enormous advances in medical research have been made over the past 40 years, cancer claims the lives of a staggering three Australian children every week.
“Additionally, many of the children who do survive their disease go on to suffer from long term side effects ranging from deafness, to infertility and learning difficulties as a result of their treatments,” Professor Haber said.
Craig Goozee’s family, friends and supporters gathered at the Sydney Opera House this morning as World Champion Surfer Layne Beachley accompanied Craig as he paddled through Sydney Harbour.
The community can support Craig by donating today. Call 1800 682 536 or online at www.a2b4c.com.au
About Craig Goozee
Craig Goozee, OAM, 45, is a father of four and former undercover policeman. He is the author of For One For All, his personal account of the courage and determination of his daughter Jessica, who died from cancer at age nine; and the start of the A2B4C marathons to raise money for life-saving cancer research. This is his third and final A2B4C.
A2B4C sponsors
Craig Goozee would like to thank the generosity of his sponsors to date.
Bottlemart, Active Tree Services, Lilydale Free Range Chicken, Blackmores, Blueye Eyewear, Bunnings, Cannondale Cycles, Cuisinart Dick Smith Electronics, Endura, Epic Kayaks, Hummer Australia, IGA, Johnson Brothers, Keen Footwear, Mars Food, Mercury, North Sails, Omni Scout, Portplus, Scanpan, Scenar Health, Skins, Snowgum, Sports Camera, Stern 2, Sydney RV Centre, Telstra and Urge Footwear.
Contact
PR & Communications, Children’s Cancer Institute Australia
Ph: (02) 9385 8879 | Email: media@ccia.org.au
Images are available upon request. Photos/filming in the labs can be arranged.
