After losing both parents to cancer within 12 months, James wanted to make a change – to do something different, to create something to both honour is parents, help with his own grief and raise much needed funds for cancer research.

In 2009 James launched what became Box Rallies.

Utilising humour, the need for a challenge and the desire to raise funds in a unique way James created and launched Shitbox Rally with the blessing of his chosen charity, the Cancer Council.

Over the last 12 years the partnership between Box Rallies and the Cancer Council has grown, so have the projects Box Rallies now run and importantly the funds raised.

In 2015 James was a finalist for the South Australian of the Year and in 2020 James was awarded an Order of the Medal of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for services to fundraising.