Mysterious fun rally raised over $760k for Cancer Council
Announcement posted by Mystery Box Rally 12 Oct 2016
Mystery Box Rally 2016 has marked an end for another year in Adelaide, raising an incredible $760,315.02 to date for Cancer Council.
300 courageous participants from all across Australia embarked on a 5-day mysterious, round-trip adventure from Adelaide on 24 September, with no idea where they were heading or what cars they would be driving, all to raise much-needed funds for cancer research initiatives.
Engines humming, coughing and spluttering, the teams engaged in an epic battle to bid on their dream Mystery Box car based on their fundraising amount (minimum $3,000) at a private auction the night before the convoy ventured into the unknown.
Decorated in creative motifs, glitter, stickers and piñatas, the 150 colourful cars bid farewell to Adelaide and explored outback South Australia. With daily destinations only revealed each morning before the convoy hit the road, teams travelled west to Wudinna, then north to Kingoonya, north-east to William Creek on the Oodnadatta Track, and onto Blinman in the Flinders Ranges before returning to Adelaide.
Alongside the breakdowns, river crossings and stunning scenery, participants were treated to a night of live music by an indigenous band in Kingoonya followed by a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to kick up some dust and dance the night away on the Oodnadatta Track at William Creek. Fully supported by the local community, the rally enjoyed some classic Aussie rock from a live band whilst dancing under the stars in the middle of the highway blocked off by the local police. In a town of only 6 residents, it was the biggest party in the township's history.
“This year’s rally was one of the most memorable for teams and towns alike. The breathtaking scenery along the route was incredible. The untamed beauty of the South Australian wilderness won over everyone’s hearts, especially when we drove through the Gammon and Flinders Ranges,” said James Freeman, Box Rallies Founder.
“Of course we also faced some enormous challenges, but I am proud to say we pulled through the tough times together and created an unforgettable, fun-packed adventure.”
Mystery Box Rally 2016 proved to be a miracle for both teams and their beloved vehicles. Not only did the convoy return to Adelaide just before the immense winds slammed the state mercilessly, but only two out of the 150 Mystery Box cars did not make it to the finish line in Wingfield, Adelaide.
“The rally is a unique way for us to raise awareness and critical funds for the fight against this terrible disease, all done with humour and laughter whilst seeing amazing parts of this incredible country. A big thank you to our well-deserved teams and everyone who has supported this year’s rally,” said Mr Freeman.
Mystery Box Rally is hoping to bring the funds raised up to $800,000 in a post-rally car auction on 18 October at Manheim Adelaide (75-83 Wilkins Rd, Wingfield SA 5013), where the public can secure their very own Mystery Box cars, full of character.
For further information or to support the cause with a donation, visit www.mystery-box.com.au.
ABOUT MYSTERY BOX RALLY
Mystery Box Rally is perfect for those who crave adventure and embrace mystery. This unique and exciting rally sees teams of two driving over five days to destinations unknown, all to raise funds for much needed cancer research and treatment. A fly-in fly-out adventure, the rally takes care of sourcing the cars so teams can focus on what’s important - the fundraising.
Teams will find out what car they will be driving at a private auction the day before the rally. The amount of ‘money’ they have to bid with is based on their fundraising total, so the more they raise the better their chance of securing their ‘dream’ Mystery Box. The next big mystery is of course the route, with teams told each morning where they will be driving that day. The itinerary promises participants a trip of a lifetime, taking them through some of the most incredible landscapes this country has to offer, as well as outback dirt roads and majestic small towns.
Mystery Box is part of Box Rallies, founded by James Freeman, after he lost both his parents to cancer within 12 months of each other. Described as the mad baby brother of Shitbox Rally, also a Box Rallies initiative, Mystery Box is a reward for all the fundraising teams do prior to the event and is a chance to meet like-minded people. It also offers a unique way to see our vast and beautiful country. To qualify for the Mystery Box Rally, supporters must have raised a minimum of $3,000.
In 2013 the inaugural Mystery Box Rally saw teams travel through remote parts of New South Wales and country Victoria. Taking in the sites of Hay, Echuca, Deniliquin, Willandra, White Cliffs, Tibooburra (one of the most remote towns in NSW), Wentworth, Mildura before finishing in Melbourne. Teams taking part in 2014 set out to secret locations across Queensland and New South Wales. Taking them from Brisbane to Hebel, the most north-west town in NSW at Tibooburra, Hungerford, St George and the most western winery in QLD, and back to Brisbane. In 2015, Mystery Box Rally embarked on two adventures, where teams further discovered the remote small towns of Queensland and New South Wales. In August 2016, teams travelled from Townsville to Richmond, Normanton, Chillagoe and Mission Beach via Port Douglas before heading back to Townsville, whilst in November, participants explored the New South Wales outback from Sydney to Menindee, Lake Cargelligo, Louth and the vineyards of Orange before travelling back to Sydney.
Previous Mystery Box Rallies have raised a combined total of over $1.175 million for vital Cancer Council research programs. For more information please visit www.mystery-box.com.au.
-ENDS-
MEDIA CONTACT
Holysmoke! Agency
Amanda Fry, Yvonne Kong or Laura Heslop
P: +61 2 8354 0931
E: amanda@holysmokeagency.com.au; yvonne@holysmokeagency.com; laura@holysmokeagency.com
300 courageous participants from all across Australia embarked on a 5-day mysterious, round-trip adventure from Adelaide on 24 September, with no idea where they were heading or what cars they would be driving, all to raise much-needed funds for cancer research initiatives.
Engines humming, coughing and spluttering, the teams engaged in an epic battle to bid on their dream Mystery Box car based on their fundraising amount (minimum $3,000) at a private auction the night before the convoy ventured into the unknown.
Decorated in creative motifs, glitter, stickers and piñatas, the 150 colourful cars bid farewell to Adelaide and explored outback South Australia. With daily destinations only revealed each morning before the convoy hit the road, teams travelled west to Wudinna, then north to Kingoonya, north-east to William Creek on the Oodnadatta Track, and onto Blinman in the Flinders Ranges before returning to Adelaide.
Alongside the breakdowns, river crossings and stunning scenery, participants were treated to a night of live music by an indigenous band in Kingoonya followed by a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to kick up some dust and dance the night away on the Oodnadatta Track at William Creek. Fully supported by the local community, the rally enjoyed some classic Aussie rock from a live band whilst dancing under the stars in the middle of the highway blocked off by the local police. In a town of only 6 residents, it was the biggest party in the township's history.
“This year’s rally was one of the most memorable for teams and towns alike. The breathtaking scenery along the route was incredible. The untamed beauty of the South Australian wilderness won over everyone’s hearts, especially when we drove through the Gammon and Flinders Ranges,” said James Freeman, Box Rallies Founder.
“Of course we also faced some enormous challenges, but I am proud to say we pulled through the tough times together and created an unforgettable, fun-packed adventure.”
Mystery Box Rally 2016 proved to be a miracle for both teams and their beloved vehicles. Not only did the convoy return to Adelaide just before the immense winds slammed the state mercilessly, but only two out of the 150 Mystery Box cars did not make it to the finish line in Wingfield, Adelaide.
“The rally is a unique way for us to raise awareness and critical funds for the fight against this terrible disease, all done with humour and laughter whilst seeing amazing parts of this incredible country. A big thank you to our well-deserved teams and everyone who has supported this year’s rally,” said Mr Freeman.
Mystery Box Rally is hoping to bring the funds raised up to $800,000 in a post-rally car auction on 18 October at Manheim Adelaide (75-83 Wilkins Rd, Wingfield SA 5013), where the public can secure their very own Mystery Box cars, full of character.
For further information or to support the cause with a donation, visit www.mystery-box.com.au.
ABOUT MYSTERY BOX RALLY
Mystery Box Rally is perfect for those who crave adventure and embrace mystery. This unique and exciting rally sees teams of two driving over five days to destinations unknown, all to raise funds for much needed cancer research and treatment. A fly-in fly-out adventure, the rally takes care of sourcing the cars so teams can focus on what’s important - the fundraising.
Teams will find out what car they will be driving at a private auction the day before the rally. The amount of ‘money’ they have to bid with is based on their fundraising total, so the more they raise the better their chance of securing their ‘dream’ Mystery Box. The next big mystery is of course the route, with teams told each morning where they will be driving that day. The itinerary promises participants a trip of a lifetime, taking them through some of the most incredible landscapes this country has to offer, as well as outback dirt roads and majestic small towns.
Mystery Box is part of Box Rallies, founded by James Freeman, after he lost both his parents to cancer within 12 months of each other. Described as the mad baby brother of Shitbox Rally, also a Box Rallies initiative, Mystery Box is a reward for all the fundraising teams do prior to the event and is a chance to meet like-minded people. It also offers a unique way to see our vast and beautiful country. To qualify for the Mystery Box Rally, supporters must have raised a minimum of $3,000.
In 2013 the inaugural Mystery Box Rally saw teams travel through remote parts of New South Wales and country Victoria. Taking in the sites of Hay, Echuca, Deniliquin, Willandra, White Cliffs, Tibooburra (one of the most remote towns in NSW), Wentworth, Mildura before finishing in Melbourne. Teams taking part in 2014 set out to secret locations across Queensland and New South Wales. Taking them from Brisbane to Hebel, the most north-west town in NSW at Tibooburra, Hungerford, St George and the most western winery in QLD, and back to Brisbane. In 2015, Mystery Box Rally embarked on two adventures, where teams further discovered the remote small towns of Queensland and New South Wales. In August 2016, teams travelled from Townsville to Richmond, Normanton, Chillagoe and Mission Beach via Port Douglas before heading back to Townsville, whilst in November, participants explored the New South Wales outback from Sydney to Menindee, Lake Cargelligo, Louth and the vineyards of Orange before travelling back to Sydney.
Previous Mystery Box Rallies have raised a combined total of over $1.175 million for vital Cancer Council research programs. For more information please visit www.mystery-box.com.au.
-ENDS-
MEDIA CONTACT
Holysmoke! Agency
Amanda Fry, Yvonne Kong or Laura Heslop
P: +61 2 8354 0931
E: amanda@holysmokeagency.com.au; yvonne@holysmokeagency.com; laura@holysmokeagency.com