THE TIN INDIANS
The Mission: Drive approximately 3,225 kilometres across Australia to raise vital funds for cancer research—preferably without the engine falling out.
About Us: We are The Tin Indians—a team built on a shared passion for bad decisions, questionable life choices, and a combined mechanical knowledge that could generously be described as..… interesting. Nah….. that’s not, true, Mark is an old hand at fixing crappy cars; however, Nicole’s mechanical knowledge could generously be described as concerning. Together, we thought it was a brilliant idea to take a Shitbox, load it with emergency snacks and optimism, and drive thousands of kilometres for a very important cause.
Our Dynamic Duo Consists of: Mark — Chief Driver, Navigator & Designated “Mechanic” - Mark’s mechanical strategy generally involves staring thoughtfully at an open bonnet, rattling a few hoses, banging something with a stick, and hoping for the best. Not really. He’s actually very smart and because he’s doing most of the heavy lifting behind the wheel, he has also claimed absolute dictatorial control over the auxiliary cord. If the car dies, at least we’ll go down listening to Mark’s questionable playlist. Nicole — Chief Co-Pilot & Director of Emergency Snacking - Nicole’s primary responsibilities include keeping Mark calm when the dashboard lights start flashing like a Christmas tree and surviving Mark’s music choices. She is also our Head of Optimism & Chief “Did You Hear That Clunking Sound?” Detector.
Our Strategy Is Simple Follow the Road: If the road disappears, follow the trail of parts we’ve dropped. We might be Rusting in Peace by day three, but we are absolutely committed to the cause. So please dig deep, donate generously, and help us beat cancer—because all of your money goes to research.
Why We’re Doing This: This isn’t just a road trip, and it isn’t just an excuse to drive a questionable car across the country. Between us, we’ve had far too many family members and loved ones affected by cancer—some who have lost their lives, some who have fought it and survived, and others who are still battling it every single day. We’ve seen the heartbreak. We’ve seen the strength. We’ve seen the impact cancer has on families, friends and communities. So, while we’re happy to make a complete spectacle of ourselves, there’s a serious reason behind all the frivolity. We’re doing this for the people we’ve lost, for those who have survived, and for those still fighting.
The Tin Indians are driving a $1,500 car from Albury-Wodonga to Mackay to raise money for Cancer Council
They're doing what!?
Shitbox Rally is a 7-day challenge like no other. Participants drive cars worth no more than $1,500 through some of Australia's most stunning (and often rugged) landscapes, all in support of cancer research. It's not a race — it's a challenge and more importantly, a celebration of the power of community.
Yes, the cars break down, and yes, there are plenty of unexpected twists along the way, but that's all part of the fun.
The rally is designed to be a colourful and unpredictable experience, where teams travel in small groups, helping each other along the way.
And when the day's drive ends, we gather around the campfire, share stories, and reflect on the day's achievements.
This event brings together people who have been impacted by cancer in different ways — whether it's through their own battles or through loved ones. Together we'll make memories that last a lifetime while supporting the fight against cancer.
Donate NowEvery rally. Every dollar.
Directly to Cancer Council.
Box Rallies is the largest funder of cancer research in Australia — outside of the government. Every dollar supports Cancer Council.
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Leading development of a novel epigenetic test to more accurately determine tumour risk — particularly for tumours misclassified by current clinical tools.
Developed innovative x-ray hardware under $0.5M that produces MRI-quality images and captures 3D scans during live treatment delivery.
Targeting pancreatic cancer via anti-fibrotic NID2 therapy combined with Gemcitabine/Abraxane chemotherapy to stratify and improve treatment outcomes.
Exploring genomics to identify high-risk patients earlier and guide development of new therapeutic strategies — improving survival chances.
Advanced pre-clinical evaluation of sphingosine kinase 1-targeting agents as a therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia.
Advancing CAR-T cell therapy for extracranial solid paediatric cancers.
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Harnessing epigenetics for early detection of residual and recurrent breast cancer through advanced liquid biopsy testing.
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A new targeted therapy for resistant HER2-positive breast cancers.
