Termeil resident Linda Ivey has returned from driving some of the countries worst roads as part of a fundraiser for the Cancer Council.
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Ms Ivey took part in the 2017 Shitbox Rally, which required her and a friend, Marita Corra from Wamboin, to drive a car worth just $1000 through central Australia to Cairns.
It’s like a grand adventure and you are fully supported along the way so there is never any fear of being left behind.
- Linda Ivey
At the end of the trip, the duo donated all of their items, which included bedding, chairs, a table, bedding, tent, teapot, kitchen items, clothing, stuffed toys and much more, to charity.
“There were so many donated items,” she said.
“Most of the 240 teams donated a massive amount of items all for the support of the local underprivileged in the Cairns community.
“We tried to find a local [family to donate everything to] and asked organisers to try to find one, but it was not to be, which was disappointing.”
Ms Ivey said she enjoyed the rally and was pleased with the “large amount” of money injected into the small communities along the way.
She said with close to 500 people on the rally, each town received a substantial injection of funds.
“Many of the communities are very remote and don’t have much money to spare, so these funds go towards helping to build facilities for the locals to enjoy,” she said.
“It’s really rewarding knowing that we can make a difference.”
This year, the Shitbox Rally broke fundraising records, raising $1.64 million and counting.
Ms Ivey encouraged other South Coast residents to give the rally a go.
“Teams of women of all ages were prominent this year, as well as mixed teams and teams of men,” she said.
“None of us have ever been rally drivers.”
The Shitbox Rally is not a race, but a challenge to drive cars worth $1,000 or less across some of Australia’s toughest roads to raise money for cancer research.
James Freeman founded Shitbox Rally in 2009 after both of his parents died from cancer within 12 months of each other. It has become the largest independent fundraiser for the Cancer Council nationally.
To find out more about taking part in the rally visit www.shitboxrally.com.au.
The 2018 Shitbox rally route will go from Brisbane to Darwin.
If anyone is interested, they need to raise $4,000 (per team of two people) to be eligible.
“It’s like a grand adventure and you are fully supported along the way so there is never any fear of being left behind,” Ms Ivey said.
Emily Barton
Emily Barton is a Producer at The Canberra Times.
Emily Barton is a Producer at The Canberra Times.
