Local RFS volunteer Patrick Hurkett has taken off on his second ever Shitbox Rally, carrying on from the enormous success of last year’s drive.

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This year, he is joined by friend Tony Gilmour.

As the team “Every Which Way”, they will navigate the wide open expanses of outback NSW and Queensland in a 2005 Ford Territory worth less than $1500.

Starting from Bendigo and ending up at Townsville a week later, they will track through some of the outback’s hottest spots, including Pooncarie, Milparinka, Innamincka, Bettota, Isisford and Belyando Crossing.

“The car is held together in key places by strategically placed duct tape, like the back window that keeps falling down,” Patrick told News Of The Area.

“It originally came from the ACT, and is already a veteran of a few rallies, recently having done another Shitbox Rally from Port Douglas to Adelaide.

“It has over 340,000km on the odometer.”

Tea Gardens Lions Club joins a long list of local donors, including Boomerang Bags, PC Brunton Electrical, RN Baker Switchboards, and many individuals, and interstate sponsorship from Team Plus ACT and Rollform WA.

While driving across the desert in a car worth less than a modern smartphone may seem ill-advised, “Every Which Way” will be accompanied by dozens of other qualified “shitboxes”, support vehicles, and mobile workshops for the inevitable event of a breakdown.

“You get to experience the country with like-minded people, it’s all for a good cause,” Patrick said.

“My mum was a cancer survivor, and we have lost friends to cancer along the way.”

At last count, “Every Which Way” had raised just shy of $6000, edging closer to their target of $7500, and still welcoming assistance to reach the overall rally target of $2 million.

By Thomas O’KEEFE