Huxley continues the ride of his life

In an extraordinary gesture of courage and selflessness, Wallaby and CA Brumbies fullback Julian Huxley has put thoughts of his own oncology treatment momentarily aside by today announcing he will cycle from Canberra to Orange to raise money for Cancer Care Western NSW.

He will schedule his arrival in Orange in time to attend the Rugby Union Players Association's (RUPA) Masters of Rugby Tour fundraising weekend being held over August 29 -31.

As 29 year old Huxley continues his own treatment for a brain tumour revealed during a post-match scan in March this year, he has chosen to ride, rather than drive from his home in Canberra to the western NSW town of Orange, and use the opportunity to raise additional funds for the special RUPA event.

Huxley said he has been overwhelmed by the support he has received since announcing his diagnosis five months ago and remains extremely positive about the future.

"As a young single man with incredible support from everyone in Australian Rugby I was well aware I was in a more fortunate position than many others to put the recovery time in between my treatments to good use," he said.

The weekend event has already received huge support from the local community and is a cause particularly close to Huxley's heart as the monies raised for the local Cancer Care division will go towards building accommodation units for patients and families requiring radiotherapy and cancer care treatment at Orange's new hospital.

The facility will service 300,000 people in the central, mid and far western regions of NSW and means they will not have to travel the long distances to either Sydney or Canberra for treatment.

RUPA's Chief Executive Officer Tony Dempsey admits he was blown away when Huxley announced his intentions.

"Julian is a powerful reminder to all of us that great things can come from adversity and RUPA is very humbled by such a unique act of goodwill," he said.

Huxley will depart Canberra on Wednesday, 27 August and will ride through Boorowa and Cowra to Orange - planning to arrive on Friday, 29August .

He will be very capably supported by his proud mother Keri, who will drive his support vehicle en route.

When asked if he had any other riders for company, Huxley said he would welcome any locals along the way who were keen to join him along the journey.

"Whilst realising I'm not a threat to the Tour De France teams, I'm happy to have any other cyclists meet me and provide me with some slipstream support!"

The inaugural RUPA Masters of Rugby Tour event will raise money for local charity Cancer Care Western NSW and features significant names in Australian Rugby including Huxley, Waratah Kurtley Beale and Huxley's Brumbies team-mate Clyde Rathbone.

Other Masters of Rugby participants include former Wallabies Andrew Blades, David Croft, Owen Finegan, Tim Gavin, Tony Dempsey, Joe Roff, Bill Young and local legends James Grant and Marty Roebuck

The key event for the RUPA Masters of Rugby Tour weekend is an already sold out Gala Dinner to be held on Saturday evening, which will include live auctions of Rugby memorabilia together with other fundraising items.

Donations to the Julian Huxley's Cancer Care Western NSW Ride can be made at any Service One Members Banking branch or by internet banking deposit quoting:
Account Name: Huxley Ride of Life
Account number: 1210958
BSB: 801 009

Please visit www.somb.com.au for branch locations.