Cystic Fibrosis (CF) celebrates its national day 65 Roses Day on Friday 25th May 2007.

It seems a perfect time to acknowledge three great people who are going way beyond expectations in their support of Cystic Fibrosis Awareness.

The following three people are coming along on The Great COFE for CF to help me promote Cystic Fibrosis awareness and spread a positive message to people all over the world. The Great COFE for Cystic Fibrosis has not found a major sponsor, but the all important crew that are coming are not phased by that. They will sacrifice their time and are prepared to pay their own way if we have to. These people are:

David Barz, a police officer from Canberra and qualified paramedic is taking long service leave, equipping his own bike and paying for his own airfares and costs along the way. He has no Cystic Fibrosis in his family, he wants to come to support me as he has known me for 20+ years and believes in me and wishes for other people with Cystic Fibrosis to learn from my life-style.

Troy Phillips, the support vehicle driver and mechanic for the trip, is a professional mechanic from Devonport Tasmania. He is also an SES volunteer in nearby Sheffield. He is taking leave without pay and is selling his motor-bike (SOLD!), his caravan and his four-wheeler to fund his way to come along. His employer, a small mechanical workshop in Devonport, has not only allowed to let him go for almost three months, but they enthusiastically donated $1000 towards the trip as they thought it was an admirable thing to do! He has no CF in his family either.

Heather Lea, a free-lance sports writer from Canada, responded to my plea for help to get a professional writer involved to help write the blogs and press releases. I told her I was hoping to get sponsorship to pay for her expenses along the way. She said bugger the expenses, I am coming regardless! She met my wife when she was climbing mountains in South America and met me when she was a River Guide in New Zealand. Being a full time out-doors person she spends more time climbing and hiking then working, and her offer to come self funded was totally unexpected. Heather seems to live off good karma! She is doing the ride as she really wants to do good in this world and feels that my ride for CF is a very worthwhile cause. Currently she is travelling in Africa looking for an NGO to help out!

These three people are key people in my endeavour to bring Cystic Fibrosis Awareness to the world and deserve a special mention on 65 Roses Day!
But of course a 4000km ride across 10 countries takes more then just myself and the above people to organise! There are numerous people that have shown me great support and helped me in many ways, too many to mention by name, but I must acknowledge the enormous support and tireless efforts of Dace Shugg from Hobart who is going to great extends to help me organise everything complete with fundraising ideas and influential contacts! The Tasmanian Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic run from the Hobart Hospital has also been extremely supportive of my needs, always looking after me as if I am the only person with CF in the world, as well as supporting me with fundraisers and media events!