It’s not often that mechanics is a topic of conversation in a hairdressing salon, but Hair Elements has a reason to talk cars. And in particular, sh!t boxes.
Hair Elements’ long-term client, Vanessa Heaney, along with partner Brett Nipperess will be participating in the 2015 Sh!tbox Rally, Cancer Council’s biggest independently run fundraiser. And Hair Elements have been supporting her all the way with donations, raffle prizes and plenty of mid-foils fundraising brainstorming sessions!
The 2015 event will see Vanessa and Brett, along with 400 other participants from across Australia, embark on a unique adventure along some of Australia’s most remote and arduous roads to raise much-needed funds for critical cancer prevention and research. It will be the trip of a lifetime as the group travel over 3,600kms in cars worth less than $1,000 from Canberra to Townsville via the Birdsville Track and Simpson Desert, for seven days starting on Saturday 9th May 2015.
In May 2014, Vanessa and friend Kasia Wallis, in their tiny 1988 Mazda 121, took off on the Rally; a journey of over 4,000kms which saw them join with 249 other bombs and travel from Perth to Darwin via the Kimberley and the notorious Gibb River Road.
Their adventure nearly came to an end near Mount Barnett in North Western Australia when the Mazda’s 27 year old clutch finally packed it in. Unfortunately for another team in the Rally, but fortunately for the girls, a Ford Festiva had kicked the bucket on a river crossing that same day and when it was towed into camp that night its clutch, gearbox, and starter motor were transplanted into the Mazda.
For the final days of the journey the Mazda was a Ford hybrid, and whilst it was only able to get in to second and fourth gears, that was enough to get it over the finish line in Darwin.
This year, Brett Nipperess, will be taking Kasia’s place on the team. The team name, Two Girls. Both Are Mad. (which hails from the 2014 Rally) is rather unfortunate for Brett, but for a suitable donation he is willing to complete the Rally in a dress!
Brett, 42, and Vanessa, 34, share a passion for exploring and are excited for the opportunity to combine this with a cause that is important to so many. Despite the madness of the event, the two are very much in tune with the serious side of the Rally and the reason it came to existence; to raise much needed funds for more research into cancer.
The couple see themselves as being extremely lucky as they, their close friends and their family members are not affected by cancer at this time.
“We’re not fighting cancer personally, or caring for a loved one who is fighting cancer, or grieving the loss of someone close to us to cancer. And unfortunately that makes us pretty unique.” explains Vanessa.
As Brett adds, “This makes us the perfect candidates to spend our time doing what we can to help raise money and awareness for such a good cause. There are a number of exciting research programs taking place thanks to the vital funds raised by the Rally. The research is varied and investigates not only cures for the disease, but also genetic changes that influence risk; treatment practices; community health management; and mental and emotional support for cancer sufferers. It’s really exciting to hear about some of the research and to see the impact that the Rally is able to have thanks to support from family, friends and the community.”
Brett and Vanessa are currently looking for a vehicle, which has to be worth under $1,000 and cannot be a 4WD, in which to complete their journey. Keep an eye out for it on the streets of the Gold Coast (most likely on the side of the road with its bonnet up) over the coming weeks before it attempts to make it to the starting line in Canberra.
You can help the team with their fundraising efforts by making a donation (donations over $2 are tax deductible) at https://shitboxrally2015.everydayhero.com/au/two-girls-both-are-mad
Keep up with their journey on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/twogirlsoneismad
And, if you’re crazy enough to want to take part in the 2016 Rally, visit shitboxrally.com.au for all the details.
Vanessa Heaney
Campaign & Planning Manager
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P. (07) 5507 0918
E. vheaney@surfstitch.com
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