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ACTOR Samuel Johnson has inspired Wimmera women to have regular breast checks as part of his record-breaking unicycle journey around Australia.
Mr Johnson aims to raise $1 million for breast cancer research while riding 15,000 kilometres around the country as a tribute to dying sister, Constance Johnson.
He rode into Horsham on Wednesday before continuing on to Dimboola yesterday.
Mr Johnson said the ride, titled Love Your Sister, was about engaging the community and allowing cancer sufferers to share their 'war stories'.
"It all makes it worthwhile when someone comes up and tells me about their mastectomy," he said.
"It is very hard to describe how warm your heart feels when locals go out of their way to welcome you.
"To be honest, it takes away the pain the pain of my sister's illness and the pain of the road."
Mr Johnson said his sister, whom doctors predicted had less than a year to live, was 'over the moon' about the ride.
"She is on top of the world and feels like the most important cancer patient in the country," she said.
"She is loving the idea of being able to effect some change as her health deteriorates."
Mr Johnson said Wednesday's ride was 'like a holiday' after Horsham man Dan Bolwell joined the cause on his penny farthing.
"I don't want to come across as cocky but I flew like the wind courtesy of having Dan beside me," he said.
"Dan's roadside philosophies somehow made time evaporate."
The Love Your Sister fundraising total was boosted yesterday after Mr Johnson out-raced an emu someone dressed in emu costume to claim a $1000 first prize.
Dimboola Community Bank branch manager Wayne Anderson said the bank was proud to support the ride by donating the money.
"We have done a fair bit at the branch here because donations can be made at any Bendigo Bank across Australia," he said.
"We have a huge pink bra painted on the front of our branch, a hairdresser down the road has bras hanging in the window and a lot of people are dressing in pink, along with our branch staff."
Horsham businesswoman Andrea Cross met Ms Johnson on Wednesday while in Canberra for a National Rural Women's Conference.
Mrs Cross, a member of the Country Women's Association Horsham Evening branch, said she would work with Love Your Sister to gain the support of the association and businesses across Australia.
"My tears fell and I hugged her with all my heart," she said.
"Our connection was instantaneous and suddenly this whole story began to make sense and I knew then that my life was about to change."
Mrs Cross said money raised by a raffle at the branch's International Women's Day dinner on March 13 would be donated to Love Your Sister.
Mr Johnson will arrive at Nhill's Jaypex Park at 4pm today where he will attempt to shear a sheep.