250 Cars, 500 Drivers, Thousands of Kilometres, a Million Dollar Fundraising Target… and Just 7 Days!
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250 CARS, 500 DRIVERS, THOUSANDS OF KILOMETRES, A MILLION DOLLAR FUNDRAISING TARGET… AND JUST 7 DAYS! Take a seat aboard the fifth annual Shitbox Rally and get to know the participants as they share their laughter, frustration, tears and very personal reasons for taking on the challenge Feature-length Aussie documentary THE RALLY premieres Saturday 9 May at 7.30pm on Nat Geo People WATCH THE TRAILER: http://bit.ly/TheRallyNatGeo 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" Available for interview James Freeman, Jon Worrell or Katherine Ferris For more information, visit www.shitboxrally.com.au or www.natgeotv.com.au Shitbox Rally 2015 Now in its sixth year, Shitbox Rally 2015 kicks off on May the 9th in Canberra will then make their way through rural New South Wales onto the Birdsville Track, through South Australia’s Flinders Ranges and alongside the Simpson Desert before crossing into Queensland and arriving in Townsville on May 15th. After the long gruelling days of 2014 as seen in THE RALLY, this year, once the swag is pegged, 400 participants will rest up at the local public houses as Shitbox Rally brings the party back. THE RALLY premieres Sat May 9 at 7.30pm on Nat Geo People Encore screenings through out May include: Sunday May 10 9.30pm Tuesday May 12 8.30pm Wednesday May 13 2.30pm Saturday May 16 12.30pm MEDIA CONTACTS: Cassie Crofts │ Nat Geo People (02) 8668 2982 │ 0423 184 220 │ [email protected] Holysmoke! Agency │Shitbox Rally Amanda Fry │ Jade Glashoff │Connie Townsend │ (02) 9280 1600 [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] ABOUT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNELS INTERNATIONAL National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) inspires viewers through its smart, innovative programming that questions what we know, how we view the world and what drives us forward. A business enterprise owned by National Geographic Ventures and FOX Entertainment Group, NGCI contributes to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education through its six channels: National Geographic Channel, National Geographic Channel HD, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Wild HD, Nat Geo People and Nat Geo Mundo. Globally, National Geographic Channel (including NGC U.S., which is a joint venture of NGV and Fox Cable Networks Group) is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages. For more information visit www.natgeotv.com.au ABOUT BOX RALLIES AUSTRALIA Shitbox Rally is not a race but rather a challenge to achieve the unthinkable: to drive cars worth $1000 or less across Australia via some of its most arduous roads - all to raise money for cancer research. James Freeman founded Shitbox Rally in 2009 after both of his parents died from cancer within 12 months of each other as a way of raising money and awareness in the fight against cancer – a disease that now affects so many people. Over the last five years, Shitbox Rally has raised over $4.8 million for cancer research, making the rally the largest independent fundraiser for the Cancer Council. The rally is a reward for all the fundraising the dedicated participants do to help find a cure for cancer and it’s a chance to meet like-minded people and see our vast and beautiful country in a totally unique way. To qualify to be in Shitbox Rally, supporters must have raised a minimum of $4,000 AUD Since 2010, Shitbox Rally has taken on Perth to Darwin via the Gibb River Road in 2014, Adelaide to Fremantle via Uluru in 2013, Melbourne to Cairns via Innamincka in 2012, Brisbane to Darwin via the Savannah Way in 2011, and Sydney to Alice Springs via the Oodnadatta Track in 2010. For more details on rally requirements please visit www.shitboxrally.com.au Shitbox Rally is expanding globally with the first international destination confirmed as New Zealand, in February 2016. To register for 2016 Shitbox Rally New Zealand, or to find out more information, visit www.shitboxrally.co.nz .