A DISTRICT ACTS TO DEFEAT MND

More than 2,000 residents of Benalla and the surrounding districts turned out  in force on Sunday 2nd March 2008 to join in an Act to D-Feet Motor Neurone Disease.  The day raised more than $55,000 for research into a cure.  The event was organised by family and friends of popular Benalla resident Mick Rodger who contracted the disease 12 months ago.  What started out as a walk to raise awareness of the disease turned into a massive event that was embraced by the entire community.

The timing was also extraordinary. Just two days before the event the University of Sydney announced a major breakthrough in their research to find a cure for MND. Suddenly the participants were walking or riding with a renewed purpose and a real hope that something might be achieved in the battle against MND.

During the day more than 1,500 people walked around the lake, another 300 competed in a running relay and 200 bicycle riders took to the roads around Benalla.  Afterwards there was a huge barbecue, entertainment, an auction and sporting events.
Expressing how he felt at the end of the day Mick Rodger said, "The whole day was incredibly uplifting. The community support has been overwhelming and has given my family and I great hope for the future."

Motor Neurone Disease is a fatal illness that has an average survival time of 3 to 5 years after diagnosis. On average one person dies every day of MND in Australia.