A BIG crowd is expected to attend the Mornington Coast Walk, 9am, Saturday 15 February, which raises money for FightMND.
The not-for-profit event run by Mornington resident Sarah Quigley came about after her mother, Marie Lewis, was diagnosed with MND in 2017. “I decided to organise a walk to raise money to fight this debilitating disease,” she said.
“Every day two people are diagnosed. There is no effective treatment or cure.
“It slowly robs you of your speech, movement, ability to eat, breathe and eventually kills you – all in an average 27 months.
The first walk in 2018 raised $4500, while last year’s walk, attended by more than 200 people, raised about $17,000. All money raised goes directly to the charity – there is no red tape, she said.
Participants meet at Mornington Park and walk to Mt Martha and return – a 10 kilometre round trip. They can walk as far as they want: from 100 metres to 10 kilometres.
Entry is free but donations can be made to FightMND, either through the online page or on the day. Merchandise, including hats and stubby holders, can be bought on the day.
“The walk is about raising money and awareness of MND, but perhaps its greatest role is in supporting all those touched by this devastating disease,” Ms Quigley said. “My mum was able to attend the first walk before she died.
“Having the community come out and support the fight made such a huge impact on her. As a daughter and carer of someone with the disease, it gave me great strength and the hope that one day we will find a cure.”
The walk has been listed as a finalist in the Mornington Peninsula Community Event of 2019.
Ms Quigley is planning another walk to support the Heart Foundation in April.
First published in the Mornington News – 11 February 2020
