Samuel Johnson returns for Mother’s Day fundraiser

MUCH-LOVED actor and breast cancer crusader Samuel Johnson will return to his old stomping ground tomorrow when he arrives in Geelong for a three-day fundraising tour.

Johnson, a former Deakin University student, will be selling his latest book titled Dear Mum at special Mother’s Day stalls around the region and will also attend a fundraiser at The Warehouse Geelong on Friday night.

The Gold Logie winner said he was excited to spend some time in the region.

“Geelong and surrounds have been far too kind to me over the years,” he said.

“I was a ratbag student at Deakin for a bit, and I love a regular game of golf with my mate Dion from Print Design Australia in Geelong.”

Johnson, the 2018 Victorian Australian of the Year, has raised more than $13 million in honour of his sister, Connie, who sadly lost her long battle with breast cancer at age 40.

Johnson’s Love Your Sister charity passes on 100 per cent of donations and describes itself as “Australia’s hardest working cancer vanquishing charity”.

During the COVID lockdown, Johnson began collecting letters to mums written by notable Australians and he said the resulting book is a celebration of mums everywhere.

“It’s a beaut little collection,” he said of Dear Mum.

“It doesn’t just celebrate mums – it helps vanquish cancer also. Because families matter and at the centre of families is mums.”

When asked if any of the letters struck a particular chord with him, Johnson was quick to nominate actor Guy Pearce’s heartfelt tribute to his mum.

“Guy’s letter stands out for mine, but maybe I’m just a sucker for heartbreak,” he said.

“His is a beautiful testimony to his mum who has been lost to dementia for 20 years now.”

Johnson has worked tirelessly to fundraise for LYS and said he was overwhelmed with gratitude for the support he receives from the community.

“I’m working on revolutionising how cancer patients are treated in Australia and intend on helping usher in a new era of personalised treatment for all,” he said.

“We’ve raised $13.42m … unfortunately, cancer treats our millions with contempt and there’s much more to do.

“I’ve digested many thousands of personal cancer stories and it serves as both fuel and inspiration for me.

“The more people I meet, the more determined I become and the harder I work.

“Cancer never rests, so I’ll stop when it stops.”

Johnson encouraged people to visit a Mother’s Day stall, buy a book and maybe get a cheeky selfie.

“If people visit our Mother’s Day Market Stall they’ll find fun,” he said.

“Cancer won’t take our joy, we make sure of that, which is why this is the best part of my job.

“I’ll have my Mirrorball Trophy (Dancing with The Stars) and my Gold Logie on hand for anyone that wants a selfie with the hardware.

“Bring your mum, I’d love to meet her!”

The stall will be at East Geelong Discount Drug Store tomorrow (Friday, April 23) from 11.30am to 1pm. On Saturday it moves to Leopold Library from 10am to 11.30am and Amcal Pharmacy Geelong West from 1pm to 2.30pm, and at Big 4 Bellarine Holiday Park from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.