General News
10 July, 2026
Haymakers raise over $27k for cancer research
SIBLINGS from Darlington and an old Holden Commodore station wagon have managed to travel over 4000 kilometres to raise funds for cancer research following the end of the winter Shitbox Rally.
Regional cancer nurse Rebecca Hay and her brother Chris drove in the rally under the team name of ‘The Haymakers’, raising $27,065 through their fundraising efforts in the lead-up to the event.
Following flooding on the Birdsville track and additional rain impacting a second route, the team travelled 4067 kilometres between Mildura and Townsville.
Stops included Cobar, Charleville, Longreach, McKinlay, Karumba and Chillagoe – with travel split across 2568 kilometres of sealed roads and 1499 kilometres of unsealed roads.
Ms Hay said it had been a humbling experience to give back in a fun way, with strong support for the duo throughout the whole journey.
“Chris and I received outstanding support from the community and our family and friends though donations, both monetary and in-kind,” she said.
“It was just an incredible experience because the level of camaraderie on the rally was second-to-none.
“Some of the participants had little to no mechanical knowledge, but that wasn’t a problem because the support you receive along the way is just outstanding.
“The whole rally had a series of support teams and vehicles which accompanied us along the way and, if there was a breakdown, they did their best to get people going on the edge of the road or into a car trailer to tow them to the next camp.
“Then they gathered up all the resources they needed to repair the car the next morning.”
The Haymakers were joined by a total of 238 teams and 500 participants, split up into groups of six-seven to form ‘buddy groups’.
These buddy groups travelled along the route throughout the whole rally, stopping if one of the other teams experienced mechanical issues.
“It was a fabulous experience making so many new friends, and they’re friends you’ll have for a lifetime all with the common goal to give back and have fun,” Ms Hay said.
“Everyone had a sense of adventure in common.
“There was dust, water and long days, but it just didn’t matter.
“It’s not a race by any means – the whole challenge is to reach the finish line at the end of the day.
“It’s an incredible event in which all of the organisers put in so much time and effort.”
The rally also included dress-up days which injected additional fun into the drive.
The Haymakers’ buddy group agreed to wear bras provided by Ms Hay for one dress-up day in honour of the breast cancer patients she has looked after as a cancer nurse.
The Haymakers ranked 11th in the fundraising table – which Ms Hay said was an impressive feat as this year was their first time participating in the rally – with a grand total of $2.5 million raised across all the teams.
“It’s just incredible – to be able to give back is quite amazing,” she said.
“We didn’t have a goal when we first started our campaign, but the initial goal of $5000 is compulsory, so every team had to raise that base amount.
“We achieved that fairly immediately, and we just thought we’d keep it rolling and do the best we can.
“We had three major fundraising events – a bake sale, selling fairy floss and popcorn at the Koroit Irish Festival and a trivia night at Rafferty’s Tavern.
“They’ve been outstanding and very supportive, and we just kept pushing as much as we could right down to the last hour before we departed.”
Ms Hay said she was grateful for all the support her team had received while fundraising, with positive feedback from all followers who watched their journey from signing up to crossing the finish line.
“It’s not an individual thing – you feel as though you’re doing it for the entire south west region, so it’s quite humbling,” she said.
“We’ve all got a cancer story, and it’s a cause which resonates with so many.
“I’ve worked in cancer care for almost 30 years, so I’ve seen the benefit of research and Shitbox Rallies are the major funder for the Cancer Council to enable them to conduct all of this ongoing cancer research.
“I said on the second last day of the rally the organisers’ efforts in raising money for cancer research aren’t just for those directly involved – the better we get at treating cancer and supporting patients, the less impact it has on the entire family unit and the supportive care network.
“If somebody’s going through a cancer diagnosis and it’s as seamless as it can be and having less impact, then everyone benefits.”
Rally participants had the option of auctioning off their vehicles, with all proceeds donated to Cancer Council, or paying a $250 fee to keep their vehicle.
Ms Hay chose to keep the vehicle, saying she was thrilled to have been a part of the experience.
“I’ve become quite attached to our car – there’s a spot in the shed for it, and I anticipate it’ll do another rally sometime in the future,” she said.
“We conquered the trip with no hiccups and no breakdowns, and it was a hell of a lot of fun.
“My brother, father and son flew up to Townsville to meet us at the finish line, and we had a road trip home.”