Bundaberg’s Paul Brown and his friend David Richardson are set for the adventure of a lifetime when they join a convoy to rally against cancer.
Driving from Wollongong to Mackay in seven days, Paul and David, who resides in Toowoomba, make up the rally team Up In Smoke.
Paul said the popular rally was not a race, but a challenge to drive cars worth $1000 or less across some of the toughest roads in Australia to raise money for cancer research.
Paul and David will take on the rally to live out the lifelong dream of their mate Aaron Olive, who tragically passed away before he had the chance.
Paul said Aaron had a dream of being in the rally, but that dream was never fulfilled.
Aaron lost his battle to brain cancer in 2021, leaving his two mates to make sure his dream became a reality.
“We can’t think of a better way to honour our mate,” Paul said.
“His memory and his family being our driving force.
“To date, we are currently sitting at $3060 and are still welcoming more sponsors and donations.
“We have been lucky enough to team up with Bundaberg Junior Rugby League who are going to assist us with our fundraising efforts.”
This remarkable event has raised more than $27 million since its inception in 2010. To participate, each team must raise a minimum of $5000.
Paul will have the race car on display at Bundaberg Junior Rugby League’s first round at Salter Oval on Sunday 1 May.
“We will be down there with donation buckets, raffles and much, much more. Everyone is more than welcome to come along and join us,” he said.
It's the first time Team Up in Smoke will take part in the rally.
Teams participating in the rally not only pull together to help each other through the challenges of the rally itself, but also help and support each other through openness, mateship and camaraderie from people that have gone through similar hardships with their own cancer stories.
To find out more about Up In Smoke, click here.
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