By Esther Lauaki
Melton mates Maz Brown and Joe Cussen are headed on an epic roadtrip to raise funds for a cause close to their hearts.
The duo, who’ve lost many family members to cancer, will be taking part in Australia’s 10th Shitbox Rally to raise funds for the Cancer Council.
Maz and Joe will be driving from Melbourne to Townsville, via Birdsville, next week in a 2001 Ford Fairmont Ghia they purchased off a neighbour for $300.
Ms Brown said the pair will participate in the tour in honour of their fathers, who were both diagnosed with cancer.
Ms Brown’s 65-year-old father Derick Robson is fighting his second bout of cancer after doctors found a carcinoma in his neck about three years ago.
Mr Cussen’s father, Donny Cussen, died in 1990 after battling lung cancer.
“My aunty passed away a couple of years ago from brain and lung cancer, my dad is fighting a second bout of cancer, I have friends that have been diagnosed … the list is way too long to go through,” Ms Brown says. “We’re doing it for everybody and their families who have had to deal with it – not only our families.
“This is a rally that is about all of us, 250 cars, raising awareness for the Cancer Council and raising a huge amount of money.
“You’ve got to be a little bit crazy to do something like this, you’ve got to have a great sense of humour and a sense of adventure.”
Participants need to raise a minimum of $5000 to take part in the drive which Ms Brown and Mr Cussen have already raised through trivia nights, sausage sizzles, raffles and auctions.
