A local duo known as the Cessnock Flyers will once again participate in the Cancer Council’s Shitbox Rally.
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Bob Bedford, of Bellbird, and Kurri’s Danny Hawkins will team up to take on the seven-day, 3800-kilometre journey from Brisbane to Darwin in a 1992 Toyota Camry wagon.
The golden rule of the rally is that the car must be valued at $1000 or less.
The Cessnock Flyers’ car came in well under budget at $200, and has already been put through its paces at the Mystery Box Rally, which Mr Bedford took part in last October with Tim Kendall.
It will be the third time Mr Bedford, 70, and Mr Hawkins, 25, have taken part in Shitbox Rally together, and Mr Bedford’s seventh time altogether.
Like many participants, it’s a cause close to both of their hearts – many of Mr Bedford’s family members have battled cancer, and Mr Hawkins lost two grandfathers to the disease.
The rally was founded in 2010 by James Freeman, after he lost mother and father to cancer within 12 months.
It has since raised more than $11 million for the Cancer Council.
The rally takes a different route every year, along some of the outback’s roughest roads, with teams stopping off at campsites in small towns each night, with catering by local service clubs or sporting groups.
“It puts a fair bit of income back into these towns,” Mr Bedford said.
“It’s an excellent community organisation.”
Mr Hawkins said the rally is a great way to see the country, meet new friends and raise money for a worthy cause.
“Hopefully one day they will find a cure,” he said.
The rally will depart Brisbane on May 19 and arrive in Darwin on May 25.
Donate to the Cessnock Flyers at shitboxrally.com.au.
