Jemima Montag Joins Relay to Break Guinness World Record and Raise $1M for Cancer and Brain Research 

Olympic medallist Jemima Montag, Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece and Camp Quality Ambassadors Christian Welch and Lee Elliot on Saturday 2nd May in an ambitious attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous relay. 

They’ll be joined by hundreds of Victorians in the nearly month-long relay covering over 6,500km with the aim of raising $1 million for children’s cancer charity Camp Quality and brain research centre, The Florey Institute.

Jemima says she is proud to help kick off the relay and inspire others to get involved. “Knowing every step is helping support kids and families facing cancer and brain cancer research, makes this challenge so much bigger than sport. I’m proud to be involved and can’t wait to see the community come together to achieve something truly extraordinary.”

Conquer Cancer Australia is the brainchild of Ben Jeffery, whose own father passed away from brain cancer when he was just a child. One of the founders of Boating for Brains, the successful record-breaking Australian dragon boat team that raised over $250,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital says he has even bigger goals for Conquer Cancer Australia.

“Our goal with Conquer Cancer Australia is to raise $1 million and create meaningful change. Born from something deeply personal, Conquer Cancer Australia is about turning that experience into action, bringing communities together to support children facing cancer and fund vital brain research,” says Ben.

“This relay is about more than breaking a world record; it’s about showing what’s possible when people unite behind a cause that truly matters.”

Funds raised will go toward helping kids like Zoe, who’s family’s life was turned upside down after doctors confirmed a malignant tumour in her left eye orbit was rhabdomyosarcoma. At the time, her mum Susy was caring for Zoe and her seven-month-old sister, Nicola, and was suddenly faced with an urgent and overwhelming treatment journey involving surgery, chemotherapy and later proton radiotherapy in the United States.

Susy describes the experience as deeply challenging. “We didn’t cope a lot of the time. We had to live day by day. You can’t make plans or look too far ahead. Cancer disrupts everything,” says Susy.

Throughout this time, Camp Quality provided a vital source of support, bringing Zoe moments of joy and normal childhood experiences away from hospital, while allowing her family to simply see her as a kid again.

Now, as a 13-year old survivor, Zoe is a smart and empathetic young woman who hopes to become a paediatric nurse and use her voice to help others.

Camp Quality CEO, Deborah Thomas, says that Conquer Cancer Australia is a powerful display of the community supporting those who need it the most.  “This inspiring fundraising campaign is helping to support kids and families like Zoe going through the hardest of times. Every step taken and every baton passed is raising vital funds so that Camp Quality can help more kids and families impacted by cancer access our supportive services and programs. We’re incredibly grateful to Ben, the Conquer Cancer Australia team and all the incredible volunteers taking part,” says Deborah.

The Conquer Cancer Australia world-record relay attempt will run 29 continuous days, day and night, from Saturday 2 May until Sunday 31 May, covering 6,500km with everyday Australians taking on one-hour walking or running legs, either individually or in teams.

The launch event for the relay will also be joined by other State and Federal MPs and Councillors.

How it works:

• Participants complete a scheduled 1-hour leg carrying the baton
• The relay runs continuously for 29 days straight (day and night)
• All kilometres contribute toward the Guinness World Record minimum of 5,639km
• Stretch goal: Aim for 6,500km covered collectively

Learn more about Conquer Cancer Australia. 

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For all media enquiries please contact Lucy Mitchell 0438 001 143