If you haven’t heard of inspiring young rural woman Sarah Wheeler and “The Outback Long Ride” then you really need to look her up.

Twenty-six year old Sarah has been travelling all over inland NSW and Queensland on horseback in an epic nine-month 5,500 km long ride raising money to help fight the rare cancer that killed her mother, and to pay homage to her parents who passed away. Her dad when she was just 12 years of age and her mum in 2022.

With her horses playing such a vital role in her grieving process she decided a ride with them would help soothe her soul and raise awareness for the cruel disease that took her mum away from her and her three sisters.

Sarah’s mission is to raise money for Pancare Foundation – the organisation inspiring hope, raising awareness, supporting families and funding research for upper GI (gastro intenstinal) cancers - and for a special project by her own design “A Daughter’s Way” a charity she has created to support rural families experiencing grief in rural Australia.

Sarah who left home in May 2024 will ride back into her home town on 22 February to complete her journey at her local watering hole.

Along the way Sarah has been hosted by rural families, been given hero welcomes, met hundreds of people, ridden side by side with young kids and adults on horseback and shared her soul with many, earning a love and appreciation from those she meets for her journey and what she aims to achieve.

She has been aided by a rotating army of around thirty people who have driven the support vehicle towing the horse float, negotiated with landholders along the route, organised water and feed for the horses, set up and pulled down the camp, been camp cooks and - in the case of Kaitie Nash - helped chronicle and promote Sarah's trip as they travelled.

Sarah Wheeler arriving at the Nyngan Hotel - Image courtesy Emily Stanton

On Thursday February 7, Sarah stopped at Nyngan and the community was ready for her.

Greeted with food, a bed and encouragement on the way into town, Sarah current support crew Kaitie Nash, made their way to the Nyngan Hotel, where 200 locals had gathered to raise money for her cause and to hear Sarah speak of her journey and desire to make her parents proud.

“We had the privilege of supporting the incredible Sarah Wheeler here at the Nyngan,” said hotel owner Emily Stanton.

“Sarah truly inspired our town, and the result is this donation. With the help of our tight knit community and a host of generous donors $12,400 was raised on the night.

Cobar Artist Sigrid Peters donated this painting of Sarah to raise money - Image courtesy The Pink Galah

“The credit belongs to Sarah Wheeler, without her, none of this would have happened. A huge thank you to everyone who donated, bought tickets, or shared a drink at the pub with Sarah – every little bit counts,” said Mrs Stanton.

Organiser of the event Astrid Linke told Western Plains App it was truly heartwarming to see the community come together in support of Sarah.

Organiser Astrid Linke with her mum Marina Linke, Kaitie Nash and Star of the night Sarah Wheeler - Image supplied

“It was inspiring to hear Sarah talk about her journey on horseback and a cause so close to her heart,” said Ms Linke.

“A fantastic crowd of people from Nyngan and surrounding towns gathered at The Nyngan Hotel for a Q & A and live auction, to raise funds for two incredible charities – Pancare Foundation and a Daughter’s Way.

Map courtesy 'Beneath the Brim '

“The overwhelming support and generosity on display made for a truly special evening celebrating an amazing woman and two important charities,” she added.

Both Sarah and Kaitie took to social media expressing their gratitude to the community of Nyngan and to all the communities small and large on her journey that have been so incredibly warming and generous to her and her mission.

Sarah has been welcomed with open arms into many rural communities with Collie taking her over her desired $250 thousand dollar goal.

On Saturday morning she rode into Coonamble for morning tea and a yard at the Terminus Hotel. That night she spelled her horses - Shifty and Sally - and joined a crowd of around 100 people at the Thirsty Farmer Hotel in Baradine.

The next leg will take her to Come-by-Chance and then onto Walgett.

The nine-month trek will end with a celebration in Sarah’s hometown of Rowena on 22 February at 3pm at the Rowena Inn.

To donate visit Pancare Foundation and Sarah's own charity A Daughter's Way.