30 June 2008

Spirit of Tasmania is pleased to support 68 year old ultra marathon runner Vlastik Skvaril and his wife Josefa as they prepare to embark on the biggest fundraising journey of their life.

The journey will begin on 5 July 2008 with a relaxing sailing experience on Spirit of Tasmania between Devonport to Melbourne to prepare them for the physical and emotional challenges that lie ahead.

Vlastik aims to raise much needed awareness and funding for CanTeen by being the fist man to run from West to East Australia. He has devised the “Bay to Bay” course - starting at Monkey Mia, WA and concluding in Byron Bay, NSW.

The run will start on 20 July 2008 and he will cover a total of 5,768km in 100 days averaging more than 57km per day, running around 8 hours a day, totalling an enormous 11,600,000 steps.

Ms Melindy Green, Director, Marketing and Communications said Vlastik’s thirst to conquer new and colossus challenges has seen him run around Tasmania, cross the Simpson Desert and push himself through countless ultra marathons – all in the name of charity.

The Bay to Bay is an arduous challenge that both he and Josefa are meticulously planning. They will cover the most remote parts of outback Australia where for hundreds of kilometres fuel and water is simply not available.

The planning phase will play a crucial part in the overall success of the challenge.

Ms Green said at the completion of the run both Vlastik and Josefa will return home on board Spirit of Tasmania where they will be able to relax and enjoy the comfortable accommodation and many on board dining and entertainment options.

“We admire Vlastik and Josefa’s philanthropic ways and wish them every success for the Bay to Bay challenge,” she said.

All fundraising proceeds raised by Vlastik will assist CanTeen bring together young people who are living with cancer. CanTeen aims to improve the quality of their life by providing support, development and empowerment.

For more information on CanTeen visit www.canteen.org.au or to make a donation visit www.everydayhero.com.au/Vlastislav_Skvaril

-ends-

Released by:

Carolyn Neill

Corporate Communications Coordinator

Tel: 03 9206 6220 / 0438 393 898

cjn@spiritoftasmania.com.au