Take a seat aboard the fifth annual Shitbox Rally and get to know the participants as they share their laughter, frustration, tears and very personal reasons for taking on the challenge.

Feature-length documentary THE RALLY premieres Saturday 9 May at 7.30pm on Nat Geo People http://bit.ly/TheRallyNatGeo. 

It began as a near impossible dream and is now the largest private Cancer Council fundraiser in Australia, raising more than $4.8 million dollars and counting.

After both his parents died of cancer 12 months apart, South Australia's James Freeman decided to take action to fight the disease, creating a unique and challenging way to raise money and awareness. 

So began Shitbox Rally – a challenge to drive cars worth $1,000 or less across Australia via some of its most arduous dirt tracks imaginable to raise money for cancer research.

In a world premiere documentary airing this May on Nat Geo People, join the fifth annual Shitbox Rally filmed in 2014 and meet the community that has been brought together by the goal to defeat cancer, many of whom have been personally touched by the disease. 

Armed with nothing but their shitboxes, gaffer tape and a whole lot of courage, the teams began the trip of a lifetime in Perth and headed north stopping by Meekatharra, Marble Bar and Broome before heading into The Kimberly and arriving in Darwin.

The rocky canyons, sandy white beaches and breath-taking waterfalls of the Top End provide a stunning backdrop to the longest and most challenging Shitbox Rally yet. 

James Freeman, founder of Shitbox Rally, said

"One thing that over the years has always been hard to describe to people is 'what is the Shitbox Rally like? Unless you have been on it you can not truly understand why this is not just a bunch of people going for a drive. So the documentary for me is a way to offer insights into the full Shitbox experience through film in a way no other medium can. I want people to see the community, the highs and lows, laughter and sometimes frustration, the uniqueness of the combination of individuals that for one week share the day to day emotions of taking on the Australian outback in an old, rusty car. Its not always fun, there are challenges every minute but it will live with you forever and you will want to do it all again"

THE RALLY premieres Sat May 9 at 7.30pm on Nat Geo People 

Encore screenings through out May include:

Sunday May 10 9.30pm

Tuesday May 12 8.30pm

Wednesday May 13 2.30pm

Saturday May 16 12.30pm

Shitbox Rally 2015

Now in its sixth year, Shitbox Rally 2015 kicks off on May the 9th in Canberra will then make their way through rural New South Wales onto the Birdsville Track, through South Australia's Flinders Ranges and alongside the Simpson Desert before crossing into Queensland and arriving in Townsville on May 15th. After the long gruelling days of 2014 as seen in THE RALLY, this year, once the swag is pegged, 400 participants will rest up at the local public houses as Shitbox Rally brings the party back.