Wagga residents tied up their laces and walked five kilometres around Lake Albert to raise awareness and funds for those living with Motor Neurone Disease.
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Stacey Barklem’s father-in-law passed away from MND seven years ago.
“Each year we come along and do this walk in remembrance of him,” she said.
“It’s a little bit overwhelming that so many people turn up and support the day, it’s pretty special.
“Every year, it's getting bigger and bigger. I like this new time as it is not so hot.”
Ms Barklem said her message to the community is “let’s find a cure for the beast”.
Pat O’Hara one of the organisers of the Wagga Walk to d'Feet MND, in memory of her husband Tasman, who was diagnosed with MND.
Mr O’Hara died in October 2010, just 14 months after his initial diagnosis.
“It’s a fantastic turnout showing our support for those living with Motor Neurone Disease,” Mrs O’Hara said.
“In Wagga, we are a very generous city and we do support things and for this horrible disease, we need all the support we can get.
“I’d like to say a big thanks to everyone who came and to those with MND we will do everything we can to find a cure.”
“It’s a little bit overwhelming that so many people turn up and support the day, it’s pretty special."
- Stacey Barklem
Kym Nielson, fundraising manager for MND NSW said it was the sixth time they had hosted the walk at Wagga.
“It’s our first twilight walk," she said.
“We are raising funds to support people who are living with Motor Neurone Disease, that’s why our association is about,” she said.
“We support people with equipment, with education and carers until we can find that cure."
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Ms Nielson said the walk gives people the sense that they are not in this fight alone.
“There is a lovely comradeship,” she said.
“People can say ‘there are people out there supporting me’ and for those with MND it makes them feel really good that there is a big group around them.”
Ms Nielson said MND is only 10 per cent familial.
“The other 90 per cent is random,” she said.
“At present, we have no cause and no cure. From diagnosis to death it’s only about 27 months.
“It is a very progressive disease.”
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