The rally is part of the Cancer Council's biggest independent fundraiser, and teams are set and getting ready to take on the barren outback in October

James Freeman, founder of the Shitbox Rally, has set a goal of raising $2 million for cancer research and support, with overall funds since the rallies began in 2009 reaching $22 million.

Mr Freeman lost both of his parents to cancer in 2010.

"Mum's cancer started off as bowel cancer whilst Dad's was located in the prostate and then later spread to the bones," he said.

"My younger brother Ben and I nursed them both through several rounds of treatment up until the last stages of their lives.

"Mum died before Dad and so when Dad died, I guess I was a little lost. I needed to find something, a project, an adventure, and whatever it was, it had to be big and it had to excite me. Really, it had to bring the life and fun back.

He said he came up with the concept of the Shitbox Rally as a fundraising event for the Cancer Council, challenging teams to raise money driving "rust bucket" cars through some of the roughest roads in Australia.

"The rally brings together people from all over the country and overseas who want an adventure, a challenge and crave something different, something life changing but most importantly, it's for those who want to raise much needed money for charity."

A convoy of 275 cars will leave Mackay in QLD on October 10, 2020.

Teams of two will take on seven days of driving across 3,500kms of dusty, dirty, mostly unsealed roads with six stopovers in remote locations, including Mataranka on October 15, and Katherine on October 16.

This year, 550 people affected by cancer in one way or another will be participating and raising awareness as they make their way to the finish line in Darwin on October 16.

"Most people take part because they have been impacted by cancer either directly or indirectly and are moved to make a difference in a way that appeals directly to them," Mr Freeman said.

"Before the first rally I couldn't even say "Mum" or "Dad"; I couldn't look at photographs of them.

"The rally was the first time that I could actually talk about them, and it was incredibly hard but it was great because I love them so much and I want to be able to talk about them. I like to think the rally helps others heal too."

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.