Through the Outback: Rallying for Courage, Camaraderie, and Compassion
Why did I, a woman petrified of spiders and snakes, decide to embark on an adventure into the Australian Outback with 300 strangers in a beat-up old car and my best friend?
Finding Purpose Through Loss
It all began 15 years ago with a phone call that shook me to my core. My husband delivered the news of his father's passing, a mere 9 months after a devastating cancer diagnosis. My father-in-law, held a special place in my heart. His unconditional acceptance into the Fletcher family meant everything to me. In the aftermath of his passing, I sought ways to contribute, leading me to fundraising efforts for Macmillan Cancer Support in the UK. From organising art auctions to conquering the highest peaks in the UK, fundraising became my avenue for making a difference, pushing me beyond my perceived limitations.
After emigrating to Australia with my husband, my quest to support cancer research persisted. A chance discovery led me to the Shitbox Rally—an unconventional fundraising event unlike anything I'd encountered before. The idea seemed a country mile beyond my comfort zone, yet piqued my interest. Despite dreams of conquering the Paris Dakar Rally and being inspired by the classic "Cannonball Run" movie, the notion of venturing into the Outback felt utterly daunting.
Why? People die in the Outback. Not only is it one of the harshest climates in the world, pretty much every creature wants to kill you, and you are a day from any civilisation! There's no way I can spend time in the searing day-time heat, then sleep in a tent in the desert at night! I can’t even change a car tyre, let alone get a shitbox up and running to drive it. I parked the idea as ‘way too mad.’
A Heartbreaking Call
On 18th January 2018, I received a call that once again took the rug from beneath my feet. My best friend, Nikki rang to tell me her partner had passed away from cancer. I was floored, Mike was 10 years younger than me, had a young son and was the most adventurous, spirited person I think I’ve met. He was Nikki’s soul mate and now Mike was gone.
To say Nikki was devastated is an understatement. The funeral was an occasion I never thought would happen in a country I’d lived for less than 5 years. It was a day full of love and stories, mainly involving cars, that made us laugh as much as cry. A little voice in my head said ‘Why not do the rally? Do it in memory of Mike.’ I left the thought there and focused on supporting Nikki. But this little voice kept saying to me, ‘Do it for Mike, he’d have loved it!’
To The Outback?
One day we got to talking about Shitbox rally. It turned out that it had been on Mike’s bucket list. But I still chalked it up as ‘never going to happen’, mainly because it was always booked up. Then one day, I found their baby brother event – Mystery Box Rally. A shorter 5 days in the outback, you just didn’t know where you’d be going. And the registration was still open.
So I called Nikki one day, and just asked. The conversation went a bit like this:
‘So, you know this Shitbox Rally? Well, there’s another one. 5 days, no idea where we’ll go or who we’ll be with. All that's known is where the start and finish is, and that we need to raise at least $3,500 for the Cancer Council. What do you think?’
She thought about it, then replied ‘That would be amazing, and the perfect way to honour Mike. He’d always wanted to do this. Let’s do it!’
A Journey Into The Unknown
So, in October 2018, we joined 300 strangers on a journey into the unknown. We’d bought a 25-year old car that we’d never driven before, and set forth on the adventure of a lifetime. We had spent an anxious last 2 weeks fundraising, nearly missing the required $3,500 to participate. Our little Subaru Liberty (we named her Libby) was loaded up with jerry cans, spare tyres, camping equipment, first aid kit, some food and water. As I fell asleep the night before we left, my husband rolled over and asked 'how will I know where you are?'
I replied, 'I don't know, there's a Facebook page I suppose....'
The next few days turned out to be the most amazing adventure of our lives! We both achieved things we never thought possible. We drove on roads formed from loose rocks, with so much dust and rattling that we could barely hear ourselves talk or see! We were beyond the reach of phone signals, spent hours and hours driving on bone shaking roads. It was fantastic!
We slept next to our cars on the hard, red dirt of the Australian desert with skies so dark the stars shone like a Christmas tree. We travelled to towns so remote that it takes 24 hours to get to a hospital! We encountered road trains, goats, emu's and kangaroo's - thankfully no snakes or spiders. We encountered the essence of Australia—its remote communities, awe-inspiring landscapes, and the resilient spirit of its people. The rally became more than just a fundraising endeavour; it was a testament to the power of community, compassion, and the human spirit.
As we returned to civilisation, the allure of the rally lingered, propelling us to embark on yet another adventure in 2019. Through it all, one lesson resonated deeply: never dismiss a seemingly outlandish idea, for it may hold the key to unlocking your greatest potential. In serving others selflessly, we often find the motivation to surpass our own expectations, achieving feats beyond our wildest dreams.