Penrith to host Walk to Defeat MND event on July 27

There will be a mix of joy and emotion at the Penrith event.

On average, two Australians are diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) every day and two people die from MND every day.

The degenerative neurological condition is considered a life sentence, and MND NSW is taking steps (literally) to ease the disease’s burden.

Walk to Defeat MND Penrith will be held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre on July 27 to raise funds for the 75 western Sydney families facing the disease right now.

“It’s one of nine events that we hold around New South Wales, the ACT and the Northern Territory,” explained MND NSW CEO, Graham Opie.

“Throughout the year, it brings together nearly 2,000 people to walk, remember and honour people with Motor Neurone Disease.

“It’s a large event and to date we’ve raised about $430,000 which goes directly to support people with Motor Neurone Disease.”

The Walk to Defeat MND event is an emotional but joyful day.

“There are a lot of people in wheelchairs, a lot of people with MND, and because of the nature of the disease they’re often misunderstood,” Opie stated.

“But during the event, they’re with a group of like-minded people that understand, and that’s a relief for a lot of people.”

The Penrith fundraiser receives a lot of support, and the funds raised on the day improve the lives of families facing MND.

“For those with Motor Neurone Disease, they’re given roughly 27 months from diagnosis to death,” Opie said.

“Motor Neurone Disease NSW is here to provide quality of life for people. We put them in touch with other people with MND, work with them, provide equipment at no cost to the individual or family, and we keep them involved in the community and at home by doing what we can to keep them out of hospital.”

Join the not-for-profit organisation at the Sydney International Regatta Centre on Sunday, July 27 at 10am. Register for Walk to Defeat MND at http://www.walktodefeatmnd.org.au/penrith25.

Ally Hall

Ally Hall joined the Weekender in 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She's a graduate of the University of South Australia and has previously worked as a Video Journalist with Southern Cross Austereo and as a News Reader with Australian Radio Network.

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