Next Thursday they’ll make tracks to Adelaide, where their seven-day, 3800 kilometre journey begins.

It will be no ordinary road trip. 

Sonia Sharkey and Kirsty Murray are participating in the Shitbox Rally, a fundraising event in support of the Cancer Council. 

The mother-daughter team have already raised more than $10,000 for the cause, smashing the $4000 fundraising threshold required for teams to participate. 

Together with about 200 other teams, Eddie’s Pride hopes to raise $1.5 million for cancer research.

The event, now in its eighth year, has raised $7.52 million since 2010.

This year’s route takes participants from Adelaide to Cairns via the Oodnadatta Track and the Plenty Highway.

Each of the teams will be tackling the rugged terrain in cars worth $1000 or less. 

Team Eddie’s Pride is entrusting a 1998 Toyota Camry with their safe passage. 

Mrs Murray, of Kyneton, said the support she and her mother had received had been overwhelming. 

In addition to helping the cause financially, she said people had provided in-kind services to help prepare the car for the trip. 

Their vehicle, and all those participating, will be auctioned off at the Cairns Showground the day after the rally. 

The funds raised by the car sales will further boost the sum to be donated to the Cancer Council.

Mr Sharkey died of lung cancer two years ago. 

His wife and daughter heard about the rally because it was happening around the time of his funeral.

Some aspiring rally participants have been on the waiting list for years.

The strength of the story behind team Eddie’s Pride has seen them behind the driver’s wheel in a relatively short period of time. 

“He’d be extremely proud,” Ms Sharkey said. 

“He’d be the person telling everybody what we’re doing,” Mrs Murray added. 

To donate, visit www.shitboxrally.com.au