Two thrill-seeking Novocastrians are set for the adventure of a lifetime when they tackle Australia’s largest independently-run fundraiser this autumn.
Roslyn Meier and Kylie Forbes, who make up The Hunter Imaging Tribute Team, will put it all on the line in the upcoming Shitbox Rally for the Cancer Council.
The much-loved event, which sees participants drive cars worth $1,500 or less across the nation’s toughest roads, is scheduled to start from Newcastle and travel to Townsville, via Betoota, in seven days.
The local pair will join a convoy of Hunter teams – including Travelling Soldiers (Nathan Law, Luke Ramm; Charlestown), The Hunters (Jason Hunter, Cheree Hunter; Mitchells Flat), Team Behaving Badly (Chris Wilson, Jonty Cracroft-Wilson; Fern Bay), Support 51 (Nelson Parlett, Arthur Parlett; North Rothbury), Support 11 (Phillip Enderby, Michael Wells; Speers Point); Subject To Change (Ben Charles, Jye Smith; Teralba), Shafs (Michelle Enderby, Linda Della-Bianca; Speers Point), Roughnecks (Mark Scott, Rod Bellamy; Belmont), Rollin, Rollin, Rollin (Jenny Beavis, Malcolm Stewart; East Maitland), Road Ragers (Allison Bourke, Maxine Jongerden; Metford), Put The Lime In The Coconut (Mellissa Matchett, Beau Matchett; Chisholm), Piston Cruisin (Sam Pticek, Lyle Carter; East Maitland), Nut Truckers (Mathew Gilbert, Kurt Speirs; Belmont North), Not Brothered (Paul Moroney, Dudley), No Paddle (Joshua Hargreaves, Joshua Collard; Branxton), No Clearance Dudes (Luke Sheppard, Chad Streatfield; Thornton), Newy Nimbus (Brett Fordham, Danielle Fordham; East Maitland), McForce (Noel Delforce, Leonne McDonald; Bolwarra Heights); Hoof Hearted (Amanda Hanrahan, Terry Hanrahan; Mayfield), Going For Broke (Alex Tolson, Max Tolson; Broke), Farts And Sharts (Tim Mason, Matthew Hendler; Waratah West), Dustbombs (Brad Sommerville, Geoff Stevenson; Cessnock), Country Hillbillys (Wayne Relton, Anthony Weber; Stroud Road), Car Rolling Along (Rachael Edwards, Justin Edwards; Ashtonfield); Brahhpswanna’s (James Ryan, Blake Hoodnorth; Lambton), Auslander (Matthew James, Megan James; Maitland), 5c Gypsies (Cameron Bright, Alex Kowalski; Mayfield) and #Goodday (Hayley North, Chris Dark; Gillieston Heights) – all focused on amassing money for research into the insidious disease.
To take part, each duo must raise a minimum of $5,000.
And, The Hunter Imaging Tribute Team has been doing its best to get local businesses on board to support them in its quest.
Both women live and work locally in the Newcastle region but unfortunately lost close family members to cancer.
They then decided to “do their best” to contribute to much-needed fundraising that would contribute to research.
“We are not only participating in the name of charity, but way too early in ours and their lives, cancer robbed us both of our mums and sadly last year, my sister Kim,” Ms Meier said.
“As we both work within the radiology space, we would like to not only dedicate this trip to the memory of our loved ones lost, but to each and every one of our patients past, present and future that have been, or unfortunately will be, faced with a cancer diagnosis.
“So many of us stop and buy a coffee every morning.
“We are now asking Novocastrians to donate that $5 spend this week to helping us fight cancer.
“We’ve had some great donations so far and we are sitting at $4,025 raised.
“However, we would really like to push that amount higher.
“So, if you are a business that wants to get involved, we would love to hear from you.”
Box Rallies (Shitbox Rally, Mystery Box Rally and Cancer Cruise) founder James Freeman also lost both of his parents to cancer within 12 months of each other.
“The Shitbox Rally is not a race, but a reward for fundraising efforts,” he said.
“This is a chance to explore Australia, drawing teams from around the country to help achieve the extraordinary.
“After 13 years of rallying, we are still bringing out some ‘firsts’ for this route.
“It’s the first time we are starting from Newcastle and the first time we will have Betoota as an official stopover.
“As always, the Outback delivers with a truly spectacular route in place, incredible scenery and hospitality.
“And, as with every rally, I am always excited to show our participants the wonders of the areas we travel through and to.
“The incredible experiences along the way and the challenges associated with driving a $1,500 car on these remote Outback tracks.
“Teams not only pull together to help each other through the challenges of the rally itself, but also assist and support each other through openness, mateship and camaraderie from people who have gone through similar hardships with their own cancer stories.”
To donate to The Hunter Imaging Tribute Team, visit https://autumn2023.shitboxrally.com.au/the-hunter-imaging-tribute-team
For more community stories:
- John Hunter Children’s Hospital receives funding boost
- Broadmeadow athlete Mike Collins hoping to break cycle of poverty
- Bob Sheridan’s on a mission to save lives
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