Solution Underwriting Agency MD Rhys Mills has raised almost $7000 for Cancer Council Australia as he prepares to enter this year’s Mystery Box Rally, the largest fundraiser for the charity.

Melbourne-based Mr Mills will drive a BMW 3 Series model E36 green and white police car which has “Polizei” written across the bonnet, and was produced between 1990 and 2000.

Participating cars must be 25 years or older and will cover around 2500km in a five-day circuit along outback roads from Bundaberg.

“Each day is a mystery, we have no idea where we will be headed until just before departure the next morning,” he said.

The Polizei team has so far received donations from 48 sponsors, including $1000 from Honan Insurance and $900 from Solution itself. Consolidated Insurance Agencies (CIA), Western United Financial Services, CGIB, Fortitude Insurance Group, Assured Insurance Brokers, Insurance Brokers of NSW, Goldstraw Insurance Partners and Barrie Macdonald & Assoc also generously donated to the cause.

Some $37 million has been raised by Box Rallies over the past 13 years, supporting research such as a lymphoma vaccine trial and new pancreatic cancer treatments. The 2023 Mystery Box Rally has so far received $386,000 of a targeted $1.3 million.

“These projects wouldn’t be possible without your support,” the Council said.

The rally is a “fun, colourful, unpredictable adventure,” it says, with participants travelling at their own pace in smaller groups.

“Vehicles often break down but we never leave anyone behind and each night is spent camping beneath the stars and celebrating the day’s achievements,” the Council said.

“It all adds up to an incredible opportunity to see Australia’s vast and beautiful countryside and make lifelong friends, many brought together after experiencing cancer themselves or seeing cancer impact family and friends.”

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