Airdate: The Rally

Nat Geo’s doco next month, The Rally, profiles the outback fundraiser, Shitbox Rally, from Perth to Darwin, encompassing 250 cars and 500 drivers.

It began as a near impossible dream and is now the largest private Cancer Council fundraiser in Australia, raising more than $4.8 million dollars and counting.

After both his parents died of cancer 12 months apart, South Australia’s James Freeman decided to take action to fight the disease, creating a unique and challenging way to raise money and awareness.

So began Shitbox Rally – a challenge to drive cars worth $1,000 or less across Australia via some of its most arduous dirt tracks imaginable to raise money for cancer research.

In a world premiere documentary airing this May on Nat Geo People, join the fifth annual Shitbox Rally filmed in 2014 and meet the community that has been brought together by the goal to defeat cancer, many of whom have been personally touched by the disease.

Armed with nothing but their shitboxes, gaffer tape and a whole lot of courage, the teams began the trip of a lifetime in Perth and headed north stopping by Meekatharra, Marble Bar and Broome before heading into The Kimberly and arriving in Darwin.

The rocky canyons, sandy white beaches and breath-taking waterfalls of the Top End provide a stunning backdrop to the longest and most challenging Shitbox Rally yet.

James Freeman, founder of Shitbox Rally, said, “One thing that over the years has always been hard to describe to people is ‘what is the Shitbox Rally like? Unless you have been on it you can not truly understand why this is not just a bunch of people going for a drive. So the documentary for me is a way to offer insights into the full Shitbox experience through film in a way no other medium can. I want people to see the community, the highs and lows, laughter and sometimes frustration, the uniqueness of the combination of individuals that for one week share the day to day emotions of taking on the Australian outback in an old, rusty car. Its not always fun, there are challenges every minute but it will live with you forever and you will want to do it all again.”

Saturday 9 May at 7.30pm on Nat Geo People.