Sam Longmore (centre) with Rural Aid’s Sharni Minett and counsellor and NSW community representative Ian Larnach at the finish of The Big Wheel in Yass. Photo: Rural Aid.
Yass disability advocate Sam Longmore has turned a 441-kilometre wheelchair journey across southern NSW into an ongoing role supporting people in the bush.
The small-business owner and adaptive athlete has been appointed a Rural Aid Ambassador after raising more than $200,000 for Rural Aid and Wagga-based mental health charity Riverina Bluebell.
Sam completed The Big Wheel: Push for a Purpose earlier this year, travelling from Corowa to Yass over eight days in her everyday wheelchair.
Beginning in Corowa on 27 June, the journey took her through more than 20 communities, including Howlong, Albury, Culcairn, Henty, The Rock, Wagga Wagga, Junee, Illabo, Cootamundra, Harden and Binalong, before finishing in Yass.
But what began as one woman’s personal challenge soon took on a life of its own as communities turned out in force along the route.
By the final days, each community seemed to hand the baton to the next as they carried her towards the finish line.
“Although I spent the majority of the time on the road on my own, this didn’t happen just because of me,” Sam said after completing the journey.
“There was a team, there was a community behind me getting here today.”
Sam’s commitment to the cause was deeply personal.
Before setting out, she said she had lost people she cared about and seen the effect mental health struggles could have on individuals, families and entire communities.
“I always wanted The Big Wheel to be about more than the kilometres or money raised,” she said. “It was about getting people talking, bringing communities together and shining a light on mental health in rural Australia.”
Sam said becoming a Rural Aid Ambassador meant she could keep that conversation going.
“I’ve seen the incredible strength and generosity of rural communities, and I want to keep using my voice to support them,” she said.
Sam is the second southern NSW advocate on Rural Aid’s ambassador team, joining Holbrook-raised AFLW star Alyce Parker, a midfielder with the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
Alyce was appointed a Rural Aid Ambassador in May 2025 after building an outstanding football career that began with clubs in Holbrook and Thurgoona.
Drafted by the Giants in 2018, she became a two-time All-Australian and the first AFLW player to win four consecutive club champion awards.
She now uses her sporting profile and rural background to advocate for farming families and country communities.
Sam’s appointment builds on years of advocacy for disability access, inclusion and mental health.
Her life changed in October 2013 when she was involved in two fatigue-related crashes within 45 minutes on the Barton Highway between Canberra and Yass.
She initially fell asleep at the wheel while driving home after a night shift in Canberra. The ambulance taking her to hospital was then involved in a second crash.
Sam sustained spinal cord and brain stem injuries in the second crash, leaving her paralysed down the right side of her body.
A keen sportswoman with a love of agriculture, motorbikes and the outdoors, she had to find new ways to pursue the activities that had previously shaped her life.
Sam went on to become a world champion and world record-holder in adaptive waterskiing, as well as a motivational speaker, small-business owner and disability advocate.
In November 2025, she won both the Courage category and overall title at The Weekly Times Shine Awards, which recognise women making significant contributions to rural and regional Australia.
“The Big Wheel showed me what’s possible when people come together behind a cause, and I’m really excited to continue that journey with Rural Aid,” Sam said.
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said Sam’s ability to connect with people made her a natural choice for the position.
“Sam has an incredible ability to bring people together and get people talking,” he said.
“What she achieved through The Big Wheel was remarkable, but it was the purpose behind it that really stood out.
“Sam understands the importance of community and looking out for one another.
“We’re delighted she’ll continue using her platform to raise awareness of mental health and support people in rural and remote Australia,” Mr Warlters said.
Rural Aid supports farmers and country communities during droughts, floods, fires and other difficult periods.
Its work includes emergency and financial assistance, fodder and domestic water deliveries, community development projects and free confidential counselling for farmers and their families.
For Sam, the finish line did not mark the end of her journey.
“The finish line in Yass wasn’t really the end,” she said, “it feels more like the start of something.
“I want to keep the conversation going and remind people in rural communities that when times are tough, they don’t have to go through it alone,” Sam said.
Rural Aid’s free counselling intake line for farmers and their families is 1300 175 594.
More information is available from Rural Aid.
