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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Megan Doherty

Love Your Sister returns to bittersweet location of Connie Johnson's amazing last hurrah

Love Your Sister's "head of cancer vanquishment" Samuel Johnson is undertaking a regional fundraising tour for the charity, including two events next month in Canberra. The highlight will be family fun at the Lyneham netball courts, the scene of his late sister Connie's amazing last hurrah.

Samuel and Connie Johnson at the Big Heart Project at the Lyneham netball courts in 2017. Picture: Karleen Minney

Connie, the founder, with Samuel, of Love Your Sister, died in 2017 after battling cancer for a decade.

This September marks five years since her passing.

Her death came just four months after she and Samuel raised more than $2 million in the Big Heart Project, as people covered the Lyneham netball courts in 5c pieces or donated money online and in-bank.

Connie Johnson on the Lyneham netball courts in 2017 with the sea of five cent pieces donated for her Big Heart Project. Picture: Love Your Sister

Samuel will be in Canberra next month for two events.

The first, An Evening with Samuel Johnson, will be held at Eastlake Gungahlin at 6pm on Friday, September 9. This will be a rare chance to hear Samuel in person, combining real-life stories and filmed pieces to reflect on the events and people who have inspired him and some of the challenges and triumphs of Love Your Sister.

The Love Your Sister Family Fun Day will be held on Sunday, September 11 from 10am to 3pm at the Lyneham netball courts. There will be music, stalls and lots of activities for the kids.

Connie Johnson in 2017 promoting her Big Heart Project. Picture: The Canberra Times

Canberrans are being asked, in the meantime, to start fundraising for Love Your Sister, whether it's at work, school or in your community.

It could be a crazy hair day, rattling a tin or getting mates to sponsor your personal fundraising, all to help Love Your Sister vanquish cancer.

Johnson said 100 per cent of proceeds raised would go to cancer research "no skimming, no admin, no BS".

"I'm very excited about it," Johnson told supporters.

"I'm going to be hitting 12 towns in NSW and Victoria [and the ACT] and I need your help ...You can help me raise as much money as possible before I get to that town. You can set up a fundraising page, you can cut off your locks, you can have a swear jar at your local small business. Really, you can do anything."

Canberra holds dear Connie and Samuel.

The national capital was home for Connie and her family and it was from her kitchen table in Kaleen that most of her fundraising was organised.

The link to the Canberra Love Your Sister events is here.

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