Stella Life Care is getting behind locals Robyn Burrell and Jo-Ann Clout as they embark on adventure of a lifetime to raise money for cancer in Australia’s famous Shitbox Car Rally.
After two years of covid-related delays, Robyn and her niece Jo-Ann
will join a convoy of 250 cars in the Shitbox rally, Australia’s largest independently- run fundraiser for the Cancer Council. To qualify for entry in the Shitbox rally the maximum you can spend on your vehicle is $1000.
“My family and I have been touched by cancer so Jo-Ann and I have teamed up to complete the rally together as a dedication to our respective daughters who are currently in remission,” Ms Burrell said.
“The rally is mainly travelling through outback SA, a lot of red dirt and rough terrain.
“From the first time we heard about this rally we knew it was something we wanted to do. Raising money for the Cancer Council, spending time with Jo-Ann and having fun travelling Australia whilst camping under the stars; it’s the perfect combination as long as our car holds out!”
“With the help of our dedicated supporters, we’ve been able to raise money for the rally and the Cancer Council through countless raffles, trivia nights, paint and sips and sausage sizzles.”
Robyn and her husband Arthur, also known as Tek, were recently awarded Whitsunday’s Volunteer of the Year at Australia Day award ceremonies in recognition of more than 45 years of donating their time to support causes and charities in Bowen and beyond. Community giving runs in the family with Jo-Ann receiving nominations for Citizen of the Year and Volunteer of the Year for the 2022 Australia Day Awards in Mackay.
“We do it because we love our community but this year we wanted to do something extra and have a crack at the Shitbox Rally and there a lot of people we need to thank for supporting this adventure, including the team from Stella Life Care who have swung right in behind us,” Ms Burrell said.
Stella Life Care business owners Faileen James, Bruce Button and Sarah Holland said they were proud to be backing Robyn and Jo-Ann on their mission to fight cancer.
“A core part of the Stella Life Care business model is to donate a percentage of income directly back to the local community through causes that matter,” Ms James said.
“Backing Robyn and Jo-Ann was an easy decision for us and it’s a commitment we’ve been able to make in our very first month of operation.”
Mr Button said cancer was a disease that affects many.
“I don’t think there’s many people out there that haven’t been touched by cancer in some way. Our family has certainly experienced the challenges that a cancer diagnosis brings,” Mr Button said.
“Once we heard about Robyn and Jo-Ann’s big plans to dust off the old Ford Falcon and take on the Shitbox Rally, we jumped at the chance to support them and their fundraising efforts.”
The Shitbox Rally will begin on March 26, travelling from Hay in central NSW to Adelaide via William Creek, finishing on April 1 after travelling a total of 3500 kilometres.
Robyn and Jo-Ann have named their team ‘Not lost- just looking’ and will drive the rally course in their beloved Ford Falcon AU.
So far, Robyn and Jo-Ann have raised just over $12,000 in donations but are keen to raise more. They’re part of the Facebook group- Not Lost & Two Jays with the team posting content regularly and planning on providing updates from the road during the rally.
At the end of the rally the cars are usually auctioned off for final donations, but Robyn already intends on buying back and driving her faithful Falcon back to Bowen with the intent of doing at least one more rally.
To donate visit: https://2021spring.shitboxrally.com.au/not-lost-just-looking