mmg.com.au

Benalla’s Mick Rodger Act to D-Feet MND event will take centre stage at the Lake Benalla foreshore on Sunday, with thousands of people expected to help raise money and awareness of Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

In the four years since its inception in 2008, the event has raised more than $210000 for research into the presently incurable disease.

Event committee chairman Jim Myconos said communities across north-east Victoria were being urged to support this year’s event.

‘‘There is every chance we could break the $250000 fundraising mark if the community continues to get behind this very special event,’’ Mr Myconos said.

‘‘That would be an incredible contribution to MND making available grants for research which are edging ever so closer to understanding the disease and finding a cure.’’

This year’s event will once again focus on raising the awareness of MND by bringing families together through active participation.

Tatong Football Netball Club will be among the groups participating, with many more community teams and organisations signed on to take part.

The day will include a long-cycle event (89km), short-cycle event (26km) walk (5km) seniors’ walk, relay run (12km, six in a team) and King and Queen of the Lake event.

In addition, entertainment will be provided throughout the day and lunch and refreshments will be available.

Entry fee, which includes a free event t-shirt, is $20, or $40 a family.

Concessions apply for seniors and students.

Every cent raised from the event is donated to research into the disease.

Pre-event registrations will once again be available at Mitchell Health Care, 65 Bridge St, Benalla.

Mick Rodger Act to D-Feet MND was first held in March 2008 after popular Benalla businessman and sportsman, Michael Rodger, was diagnosed with the disease.

After a brave battle, Michael passed away in March 2010.

MND is the name given to a group of diseases in which the nerve cells controlling the muscles that enable us to move around, speak, swallow and breathe progressively fail to work normally.

The disease, which affects about 1300 people in Australia and their families, was first described in 1869.

However, there is still no known cause or cure and treatment options are limited.

On average, one person dies every day of MND in Australia.