IF you’re travelling out west this week and spy a colourful convoy of vehicles being driven by a cast of gaudily-dressed drivers than you’re probably about to be passed by the Mystery Box Rally fleet.
The five-day tour commenced this morning, with the group departing Manheim Car Auctions in Townsville for the first leg of the journey that will take the 150 dolled-up participants from all over Australia in their 75 decked-out cars to destinations unknown, all in support of cancer research.
Each day drivers will discover their next stop just before departing, the only thing they’ll know for sure is that they’ll be making a round trip.
Box Rallies founder James Freeman said it made a lot of sense departing and arriving in Townsville as the surrounding area is part of the country he hasn’t spent much time in before.
“I like to see new parts of the country during each rally, and I think the region will be a great area to explore,” James said.
Cancer research is an area that James is incredibly passionate about for very personal reasons.
“I lost both of my parents to cancer within a year of each other,” he said while speaking to the North Queensland Register.
“I’d come back from the U.K with my wife to care for my parents after a long time away in the U.K, and after they passed away I was in a dark and helpless place for a long time.”
In an effort to move forward in the wake of such a devastating personal loss James decided to create something different and challenging to help alleviate his grief.
“I needed to put my mind to work on something that was going to excite me and bring some fun back into my life.
“Being overseas for such a long time, I wanted to rediscover Australia, and after much brainstorming I came up with the kernel of the idea for the Sh*tbox Rally.
Driven by James’ passion and determination to help find a cure for cancer, over $5.8 million has been raised since the first rally in 2010. Box Rallies is now the largest independent fundraiser for Cancer Council.
“The mad little brother of Sh*tbox” is how James describes the Mystery Box Rally which was run for the first time in 2013 and has so far raised $432,000 for cancer research.
“We have targeted $350,000 for the current event, and due to the incredible enthusiasm and hard work of the drivers during their fundraising efforts, I think we are going to reach that goal.”
One such team is Townsville’s ‘Aussie Sports’ which consists of Craig Robinson and Brent Campbell.
So far the Aussie Sports lads have raised $4960 for the rally which puts them well above the minimum $3000 needed to participate.
Craig said he’s looking forward to having a whole lot of fun, after receiving such strong support in their fundraising efforts.
“I’ve wanted to take part in one of the rallies for some time,” he said.
“It’s feels good to have a blast while also raising funds for such a great cause.”
