The late Connie Johnson has paid tribute to The Project host, Carrie Bickmore, in a heartbreaking video message recorded just before she passed away.
Connie was 40 years old when she died from breast cancer on September 8.
Her brother, the Gold Logie winner, Samuel Johnson, shared the video he made of Connie on Tuesday night.
He confessed he ‘buggered up’ one of Connie’s dying wishes and forgot to bring it to Carrie when he appeared on her show, The Project, on Monday night.
The late Connie Johnson (pictured) has paid tribute to The Project host, Carrie Bickmore, in a heartbreaking video message recorded just before she passed away
Connie thanked Carrie (pictured) – ‘Love Your Sister started as a small grass roots organisation and Love Your Sister has become what it is because of your support,’ she said
‘You supported us from the very beginning when there were very few people who backed us. You backed us. And you taking a gamble on us means that we have been able to build something really big and really beautiful’ (pictured: Connie and Carrie)
Samuel Johnson (pictured with Carrie), shared the video he made of Connie on Tuesday night, after confessing he ‘buggered up’ one of Connie’s dying wishes and forgot to bring it to Carrie when he appeared on The Project on Monday night
‘I buggered up one of Connie’s dying wishes,’ the actor began his moving Facebook post.
‘I’m not mad at myself though, coz [sic] perfection is unattainable and there’s like 1000 of her wishes that I got right.
‘But I got a bit befuzzled during last night’s The Project desk talky bit, and I literally forgot the ONE thing Connie sent me there to do on the day of her funeral – to bring this vid to Carrie.’
Connie (pictured) was 40 years old when she died from breast cancer on September 8; she leaves behind two children
I got a bit befuzzled during last night’s The Project desk talky bit, and I literally forgot the ONE thing Connie sent me there to do on the day of her funeral – to bring this vid to Carrie,’ Samuel said on The Project (pictured with Connie)
Speaking on the video, Connie said from the hospital: ‘Hi Carrie, it’s Connie.
‘Just ringing to, I’m not ringing at all, I’m just leaving you a message to say thank you.’
The 40-year-old said: ‘You know, Love Your Sister started as a small grass roots organisation and Love Your Sister has become what it is because of your support.
‘You supported us from the very beginning when there were very few people who backed us. You backed us.
‘And you taking a gamble on us means that we have been able to build something really big and really beautiful – and something a little bit bigger – well, a lot bigger – than just a guy on a unicycle.
‘The importance of your work has been tantamount to finding a cure, and we wouldn’t be here without you – so thank you.
‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart. With much love and much meaning.’
‘The importance of your work has been tantamount to finding a cure, and we wouldn’t be here without you – so thank you,’ Connie (pictured) said to Carrie
‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart. With much love and much meaning,’ she said
On Monday night’s edition of The Project, Samuel revealed the heartbreaking final moments he spent with his sister, Connie, before her death.
The Gold Logie winner said the pair spent ‘half an hour laughing’ before she ‘fell asleep and never woke up,’ while appearing on the Project on Monday night.
Co-host Carrie Bickmore could be seen choking back tears, as Samuel vowed to continue his sister’s legacy just hours after attending her funeral in Canberra.
The pair have together created the charity Love Your Sister, which is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for cancer research.
On Monday, Samuel added that he now considers himself not just the chief custodian of his sister Connie’s legacy, but the ‘head of cancer vanquishment’ in the country.
‘I will accelerate the push for a cure… I’m not going to stop, mate,’ he told the hosts.
‘She was training her little brother to do her work when she was gone. I’m ready for that.’
The pair have together created the charity Love Your Sister , which is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for cancer research.
Samuel Johnson (pictured) revealed the heartbreaking final moments he spent with his sister Connie before her death, while appearing on The Project on Monday
Speaking on the Love Your Sister Facebook page when he shared Connie’s final video, Samuel explained that the ‘confronting’ video was filmed on the ‘last day Connie could talk’.
‘She asked me to film this for Carrie… these were literally some of her last words. A village warning. This is confronting. But f**k it, we’ve always “gone there” and we’re not going to stop now. It’s cancer. And besides, Connie said so. xSamuel.’
The touching message has already reached more than 63,000 people inside twelve hours – with thousands taking to the Facebook page to share their condolences, well wishes and love.
‘More than just a guy on a unicycle. Connie would be bloody proud of you and Carrie. Don’t be so so hard on yourself Sammy,’ one commenter posted.
‘Selfless to the very end Connie. Courageous is too vanilla for you, you were a fkn [sic] warrior woman. So much love, and to you Sammy, try and feel the virtual warm embrace of your village.’
Just minutes before his appearance, Sam took to the Love Your Sister page to share a photo of himself travelling to the show, thanking an ‘anonymous rich person’ for helping him get there
The touching message has already reached more than 63,000 people inside twelve hours – with thousands taking to the Facebook page to share their love (pictured: Connie Johnson)
This year he won a Gold Logie for his portrayal of Molly Meldrum (pictured), dedicating the statue to his sister who was watching at home, before retiring to focus on Love Your Sister’s fundraising
On The Project, Samuel introduced Australia to the new fundraising campaign he developed with Connie before she passed away.
The new initiative will help fundraise for cancer research through the sale of a range of socks, named after the siblings’ childhood nicknames for each other.
The socks are available in two colours, pink ‘Connie Cotton Socks’ and blue ‘Sammy Seals’. You can buy the socks and donate to the cause here.
Connie leaves behind her two sons, Willoughby, 11 and Hamilton, who turns 10 on September 26.
A public service will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne on September 23 to celebrate Connie’s life.