By PEACE IJIYERA
THIS winter, Blake Reed and Chris Witchell will participate in the Shitbox Rally, which will see them drive from Mildura to Townsville in a car worth less than $1500.
The seven day adventure starting on June 20 and ending June 27, will cover more than 3000 kilometres – all for a good cause.
Mr Reed and Mr Witchell are doing this to raise money and awareness for cancer – an illness that took the lives of their fathers, Stephen (Grub) Reed and Stephen (Witch) Witchell, who were well-known in the Yarram and Woodside areas.
Their team name, ‘The Witchity Grubs’, is a creative spin on their fathers nicknames.Mr Reed said their dads meant everything to them.
“They were like the backbone of our families growing up. Both really special people,” the Traralgon local said.
To be able to raise money to see more research into cancer, and potentially a cure, is the driving force for the team.
“The main purpose is obviously awareness and the funds go to cancer research … one day you’d hope you’d be able to cure cancer, but it’s probably a long way away.
“But being able to sort of fund cancer research and if it meant a family didn’t have to go through what either of us have to and be able to extend people’s lives, that’s probably an important factor.”
Mr Reed and Mr Witchell knew of each other growing up through junior sport. They grew closer as they became adults, but their friendship and connection blossomed through their shared experience of losing their dads.
“We’re really close. And I feel…over the years we probably got closer given we both went through similar situations,” Mr Reed said.
The pair will share the load in driving a two wheel drive, 1997 Ford Falcon wagon through a range of terrains.
“We’ll take it in turns driving through there. There’s some pretty big days, up to sort of 500 kilometre days. Across the seven days, its close to 3500 kilometres,” Mr Reed explained.
Mr Reed says between them, Mr Witchell is more of the car enthusiast. “Chris is the car man, I’m probably more of the organiser and logistics type stuff. I’ve left him to do all the … working on the car stuff, so if we break down, I’m not much help to him,” he joked.
Trying to find creative ways of raising money, the pair, playing for Woodside Football-Netball Club, came up with a ‘sponsor a goal’ promotion.
“We basically got friends and family on board to pledge a donation per goal that we could kick at Woodside. That ranged from people pledging maybe $1 a goal all the way up to $20 a goal,” Mr Reed said.
In a game against Yarram, the pair kicked 19 goals between them. At this game, they decided to adopt a double donation pledge.
“We were getting $150 per goal donated to the fundraiser. We nearly raised close to another $3000 just on Saturday (May 24) from that.”
Mr Reed explained that there were a lot of regulations and important things to check off, including getting the car roadworthy, as part of the journey. The pair must also carry two 20-litre jerry cans in case they run out of fuel, two spare tires and radios to communicate.
The pair are feeling lucky to be participating in this year’s rally.
The autumn edition of the rally was postponed due to the fuel crisis situation. Also threatening this years rally was the potential change of route due to flooding seen on the Birdsville track around remote outback Queensland.
Just a weeksout from the rally, Mr Reed and Mr Witchell are feeling ready.
“We’re feeling pretty good, we’ve still got a few little things to fix on the car, but we’re getting there in that space. We’re very excited and it’s good to hear that they’re going to continue on with the Birdsville track cause that was a highlight of ours that we both wanted to do as well,” Mr Reed said.
“Excited, a little bit nervous and everything else that comes with a pretty big adventure.”
In the future, the pair may consider doing more rallies like this.
Mr Reed explained that at the end of the rally, the cars are auctioned with that money also donated to Cancer Council. Participants are able to buy the cars back for $250.
“It could be something that we continue on with. Obviously if Chris keeps the car, it could be a catalyst for next year or the year after,” Mr Reed said.
“It’s good to be able to give back to a charity.”
At the time of publication, the Witchity Grubs had raised more than $13,000, reaching a higher goal of $15,000.
Anyone wishing to donate can visit: https://winter2026.shitboxrally.com.au/the-witchity-grubs
