By Jesse Graham
A FATHER and son team from Toolangi will drive 3800 kilometres in a clapped-out car in memory of Healesville’s Bryce Crow, as part of next year’s Shitbox Rally.
Paul and Bradley Van De Ven will drive a 20-year-old Ford Falcon from Adelaide to Cairns in 2017 as part of the rally, raising money for the Cancer Council along the way.
Mr Van De Ven told the Mail that the drive will be held in the memory of Healesville’s Bryce Crow, who died in November 2014 from melanoma.
“Bryce and I actually registered to do the Shitbox Rally for the Cancer Council in 2012,” he said.
“It took me four years to get in – it’s restricted to 200 cars per year, and you’re only allowed two people per vehicle.”
In Bryce’s place, Mr Van De Ven’s 18-year-old son Bradley will be riding shotgun as the pair drive 3800km in a car worth less than $1000.
He said he picked up the car for $300, but it was not in working condition – after finding replacement parts and putting in some elbow grease with Bradley, the car is roadworthy, registered and ready to go.
To pay tribute to their friend, the car has a sticker of Bryce and “cruising for Crowy” along the side, along with Shitbox Rally and Cancer Council stickers.
Ahead of the rally, the pair is holding a fund-raising evening at the Toolangi Tavern on Friday, 18 November from 6.30pm.
Entry to the event is $40 per person, which covers a two-course meal, finger food and tea and coffee, with door prizes, raffles and games to be held on the night.
One of the games is Name That Tune, where players have to guess the song name and artist after hearing a snippet of a song.
Mr Van De Ven said he hoped to get 100 people along on the night, and that $1000 could be raised to bring the team to their minimum fund-raising goal of $4000.
Tickets to the event must be purchased through trybooking.com, by searching “Name That Tune – Toolangi Tavern” on the website.
To donate to the team, visit shitboxrally.com.au and search for the team “Brandandad” – or call 0409 968 783.
