Griffith Locals Rally Together Raising Money For Cancer Council

Ever since seeing a kidney car rally visit during his primary school years, Zaydin Barnes thought it would be great to do some type of rally race for himself.

“I came across the Sh**box Rally years ago and have tried a number of times to get a spot, but as it’s one of the biggest rallies in Australia, and only accepting 500 people, the few times I’ve tried to get a spot I’ve been too late,” Zaydin said.

“After watching my mother go through cancer, my grandmother and my brother both battle cancer and both pass away this year, I thought it was time I tried to give a bit back after seeing what’s involved and what people go through first hand.”

The event was something Zaydin had asked his brother to do with him a few years back, so when he saw this year’s rally advertised he thought it was the right time to give it a shot.

“Three days before he passed, I got the email to say I had been accepted,” Zaydin said.

“I’ll be doing the rally with one of my good mates and also a close mate of my brother’s, Terry Rebetzke.”

The Sh**Box Rally involves six days of driving, commencing in Wollongong and making its way over to Innamincka via the Strezelecki track, Cameron’s Corner before making its way back to Mackay on the coast. The whole trip is over 3500km.

The whole idea of the rally is to purchase a car, spending no more than $1000, including any repairs and modifications, and driving it through some of the most remote, rough and scenic roads throughout Australia while raising money. Zaydin and his mates purchased a 2005 Nissan Maxima for $600 to drive in the Autumn rally.

Each team consists of two people who must raise a minimum of $5000 before the start of the rally. The rally raises at least $2.5 million each year for the Cancer Council of Australia. Since starting 12 years ago, Sh**Box rallies have raised over $27 million.

To learn more about the event, check out Shitboxrally.com.au. You can also go to the Sh**box Rally page and donate to the cause and support Zaydin’s team, “The Farmers”.

The Griffith Phoenix will catch up with the boys and see how much money they’ve managed to raise before they head out on the road on May 7, 2022.

• Topics:

• Fundraiser
• Health & Wellbeing
• Cancer
• Events