WHATS THE MYSTERY BOX RALLY?
It’s a 2500km rally but Shane’s not sure just where it will take him
We live here ‘cos we love it!
FOR Toowoomba man Shane Pennell, raising funds for cancer research has a personal touch.
Just over four years ago, Mr Pennell’s wife’s uncle was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which ultimately took his life.
“He and I discussed doing something like this and when I told my mate Scott Birkbeck about this he got involved,” Mr Pennell said.
“This” is the Mystery Box Rally, a 2500km rally over five days — and the participants don’t really know where they’re going until literally the last minute.
“We start in Mildura and finish in Mildura but we don’t know exactly where we’re going until the morning briefing each day,” Mr Pennell said.
“We go through small country towns and it’s probably the biggest thing to happen to some of those towns for the year.
“There are 150 cars plus support vehicles so there’s probably almost 200 cars involved.
“There are nine teams from Queensland this year.”
The cars involved have to be at least 25 years old so Mr Pennell’s Team Wild Thing 2018’s 1981 one-tonner ute easily fits the criteria.
“The bloke who sold it to us had stage four bowel cancer,” Mr Pennell said.
“Cancer just about touches everyone these days whether directly or a family member so
the rally has a special meaning for us. It’s good that the funds raised this year are going toward pancreatic cancer research.”
So far the rally participants have raised $122,599 in their quest to beat the 2016 record of $832,852.
The rally is not until October but Mr Pennell’s team is not waiting for that date to start fund-raising.
“We were coming 17th for fund-raising out of the whole country but that was before the Apex Club of Chinchilla came on board so we’re probably in the top 10 now.
“It’s all about having fun while raising funds for a good cause and celebrating the people we’ve lost to cancer.”
Mr Pennell is holding a lawn bowls day this Sunday at the South Toowoomba Bowls Club from 2pm to 5pm to raise further funds.
“If anyone wants to join in we are having teams of four and they can just email me at teamwildthing2018@gmail.com if they want to nominate.
“It’s all about having a laugh, playing some bowls and raising money for a good cause.”