 In November 2003 , Webber organised and competed in a 10 @-@ day trek across Tasmania to raise funds for children 's cancer research charities . Starting in <unk> on the state 's west coast , the trek involved 1 @,@ 000 km of cycling , kayaking and trekking along the southern coast and finished at Coles Bay in the east . Four teams of four competitors each started the trek , with only two teams ( including Webber 's ) completing the entire journey . Along the way , Australian sporting stars Pat Rafter ( tennis ) , Steve Waugh ( cricket ) , Cathy Freeman ( athletics ) , James Tomkins ( rowing ) , Guy Andrews ( iron man ) , and actor Joel Edgerton completed certain parts of the trek . The challenge concluded with a black tie dinner and auction to raise funds . Webber said he was driven to organise the event after the death of his grandfather to cancer , as well as his experiences with friends whose children had battled the disease . 
