By Jed Lanyon
Two Healesville residents are gearing up for the Mystery Box Rally and have raised thousands of dollars for a great cause.
Paul Reid and Mathew Grayling bought a run down old ute that had been laying waste in a Shepparton paddock. With the help of a local mechanic, they’ve restored the ’89 XF Falcon and will be flying the flag for Healesville under the team name ‘Duct Tape and Cable Ties’.
Despite the ute’s engine failing twice on them after 288,000 kilometres of wear and tear, the duo are confident the ute will hold up for the big rally, which will see them face 2500 kilometres of dirt roads in Queensland.
“I think the trying conditions will be interesting, because you’re not allowed to spend more than $1000 on a car. That’s the catch. We bought the ute for $800. Freddy (Fast Freddy’s Tyre Service) gave us some tyres that will be pretty good for out in the bush. We’ve done a lot of work on it to get it up to roadworthy,” Mr Reid said.
“We do roughly 500 kilometres each day without knowing where we’re going,” Mr Grayling said. “We’re given an end destination after each day and you end up there by that night. All we know is you start in Rockhampton and you’ll end in Rockhampton.”
Vehicles often break down during the rally but a “never leave anyone behind” approach is taken by rally members, who then camp beneath the stars and celebrate the day’s achievements.
The rally makes for an opportunity to see Australia’s vast countryside and make lifelong friends, many brought together after experiencing cancer themselves or seeing cancer impact family and friends.
The 2500 kilometre, five day rally through the bush might be the least of the team’s worries as they embark from Healesville next month.
“We’ve got to get it to Rockhampton as well, it’s probably 2000kms just to get there. Then hopefully it’s in a condition to drive it home,” Mr Reid said.
And then there’s the added issue of recent Covid-19 lockdowns across different states. Mr Reid and Mr Grayling were set to head off by the end of July, and while the event is still going ahead for now, the pair are prepared if they have to detour through South Australia and the Northern Territory to get to Queensland.
The pair have already raised nearly $13,000, well over their original target of $10,000 with plenty of time for locals to donate. Funds from the Mystery Box Rally go to the Cancer Council, where the event has raised $24 million to date.
“It feels good just to be able to help and hopefully we can make it a bit better for everyone. Mr Grayling said. “Everyone’s been affected by cancer in all shapes and forms. It’s a good reason to raise money for research into cancer and to help others.”
Mystery Box Rally funding has led to a research study to develop a vaccine that protects against lymphoma cancers, a research trial to standardise international guidelines on melanoma removal as well as a research grant to revolutionise the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
“It’s awesome. We had a big fundraiser at my place,” Mr Reid said. “We ran raffles on the night and probably had two and a half thousand dollars worth of raffle prizes. We raised about $7000 in one night.”
The pair have been busy selling custom made stubby holders and have enlisted the help of several local businesses to aid their fundraiser.
Healesville restaurant put a month’s worth of their tips towards the fundraiser, while the local RSL donated their venue for the raffle event. Stars Hollows Quilts and Home donated contributed over $5000, while Four Pillars, Global Ballooning, Main Street Quality Butchers and more pitched in to help the cause.
For more information and to donate to Duct Tape and Cable Ties, visit: https://2021.mysteryboxrally.com.au/duct-tape-and-cable-ties
