Shitbox Rally 2022

Bridgetown’s ‘Outback Lassies’, Michelle Wright and Kathryn Holland are taking part in the Spring Shitbox Rally which will be held from October 15th to October 21st 2022, travelling from Mackay to Darwin via the Savannah Way.

The Rally is not a race, rather it’s a challenge to achieve the unthinkable, to drive a ‘shitbox of a car’ worth no more than $1,500 across Australia via some of its most formidable roads, all in the name of charity.

The ‘Outback Lassies’ is a two-person team which needs to raise a minimum of $5,000 to participate in the rally. They are currently trying to find their ‘shitbox of a car’ in preparation for the start of the event in Mackay.

There are other stipulations apart from the vehicle being valued at less than $1,500. It also must be road worthy; the car has to be a two-wheel drive and be able to hold four people.

This is just in case they will need to pick up other fellow competitors whose car may have conked out along the way.

Across the seven days they will drive around 3,300 kilometres, roughly 600 kilometres a day.

All this excitement and adventure is in order to raise money for the Cancer Council as well as to bring attention to the work and support the Cancer Council gives to those who are affected by cancer.

Michelle Wright talks about why she is taking part in the rally, “This will be a fun way for me to ‘give a little back’ to such a supportive organisation.

“Many of us have been affected by cancer in one way or another. Whether it be parents, family, close friends, people we know or ourselves that have battled or are battling cancer, it’s an awful disease, a disease which has the ability to touch us all.

“Charities such as Cancer Council make the tricky cancer journey that little bit easier.

“During the rally we will be travelling in a convey of around twenty vehicles, this of course is to foster friendships and cooperation, it is also to allow the other entrants to be alongside, so they can be there to lend each other a hand for when things go awry.

“I’m no bush mechanic, but when things go wrong, as they do in life, plenty of support always makes the situation easier.

Kathryn Holland was delighted to also explain, “We not only want to raise awareness and money for Cancer Council, but also want to offer support and a friendly ear to those that have suffered or are suffering from cancer.

“I’ve found, since announcing I’m taking part in the rally, others in our community who have been affected by the disease have come and shared a little of their story with me.

“Sure, the rally is not for everyone, but it will be an adventure, and we will have fun along the way, it will be something different.

“Through others’ past experiences with the rally we have been told that because we are taking part in something which is both rewarding and memorable, we will make new life-long friends, but most importantly, we will be raising much needed money for the charity.

“Trust us, this is going to be great fun,” we have been told.

Together so far, the ‘Outback Lassies’ have raised $1,800.

The next fundraising event they will be holding is an afternoon High Tea which is to be held at ‘Dalmore Farm’ in Bridgetown on the Saturday 3rd September which will begin at 2pm.

It is planned to be a fun afternoon with raffles, auctions and games being held to entertain the whole family throughout the afternoon.

There will be a bus service for those wanting transport to the farm, it will be departing from the Town Square Carpark.

If you would like to attend High Tea, bookings can be made at: events.humanitix.com\bridgetown-high-tea or you can contact Margaret Wright on 0438 907 479.

This event is officially endorsed and supported by the Cancer Council. Shitbox Rally is the largest community lead fundraiser for the Cancer Council in Australia and is now in its 13th year.

The fundraising is the hard part, so any donation you can give is greatly appreciated.