Rallying For A Cause
Sisters Katie and Sarah Didsbury have just returned from a huge 4,600km trek in Camilla the Mazda 2 as part of the Sh*tBox Rally, raising funds for the Cancer Council.
The Glenhaven duo (called the Twisted Sisters in the rally) had to drive 290km to Canberra before joining the official start on May 2nd which attracted 250 teams from all over Australia in cars worth less than $1,500.
Floods on the Birdsville track meant a detour from Silverton through Bourke, Mitchell, Barcaldine and Hughenden, arriving at Townsville on May 10th after organisers added an extra 1,000km to the journey to avoid flooded areas.
Sarah said she had wanted to do the rally for some time and completing it with her sister was great. A dented sump and one wrecked tyre were the only damages.
“I am so glad we did it and we have met some great people.”
All teams were put in “Buddy Groups” of around 7 cars to complete the track.
Katie said : “The Buddy Group became a family that was a support network for the rally and into the future.
“You always feel supported by the organisers and the trip had the most amazing outback scenery and showed support to local towns who might be doing it tough.”
As well as Camilla the 2013 Mazda 2, decorated in purple and yellow and covered in daffodils, standout cars on the included Thomas the Tank Engine, Green Sheep, complete with a lawn mower on the roof, a car covered in tennis balls and a beer can car.
Sh*tbox Rally founder James Freeman held the first rally in 2010 after losing both parents to cancer within a year in 2009.
So far the many rallies (now at 5 a year) have raised over $55 million for cancer research. The Didsbury sisters have raised $8,730 so far.
They weren’t the only locals amongst the 250 teams which included John Delaney and Andrew Bateup (Stepbrothers) from Winston Hills, Tanya and Dominic (Tandom) from Northmead, Vic and Anthony (Keep the Pace) from Cherrybrook and Edward and Daniel from Carlingford.
Raising money for cancer research and support programs is already a big part of the Didsbury Family’s life.
Katie and her mum Ruth have volunteered for several years on the organising committee of the Hills Relay For Life and Sarah runs the family team Colourful Fun which is part of the annual Hills Relay For Life event..
Camilla the car not only survived the trip from Canberra to Townsville on dirt roads she also survived the 2,059 km journey home from Townsville to Sydney and will be on show at this weekend’s Hills Relay for Life at Castle Hill Showground, still dusty from her outback adventure.
Come and say hi on Saturday, 17th May.
