The Pambula Merimbula Golf Club is holding two big events to raise money for those fighting Motor Neuron Disease.
Course superintendent Pat Wilson and the club’s general manager Ryan Clarke know far too well the pain MND causes, not just to the person living with the disease but also to their friends and family.
Unfortunately Mr Wilson has recently watched someone very close to him that he loves and respects dearly go from being a fit and healthy man 18 months ago to being restricted to very limited activity/work and increasing care.
“He worked very hard and was always very active, you would never find him sitting around doing nothing,” Mr Wilson said.
“His mind is still going but with his speech is affected.”
When he first heard about his relative’s diagnosis, Mr Wilson knew he had to do something to help.
He approached the general manager with his idea and Mr Clarke immediately jumped on board.
“I lost my uncle to MND only 12 months ago,” Mr Clarke said.
MND is a progressive disease that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting. MND can affect how a person walks, talks, eats, drinks and breathes.
There is no known cause or cure.
Mr Wilson has organised an MND golf day to raise money for the local family to help with treating and managing the disease.
He has also organised an MND awareness night which will include a two course meal and live music. He is hoping members of the community will gather to learn more about MND and to help raise money for the MND Association NSW.
MND NSW provides information, support and education about MND for people living with the disease, their families, friends and carers.
Mr Wilson said the service the association provides has been a huge help to manage the early stages of the battle against this horrible disease.
The CEO of the NSW MND association Graham Opie will speak and answer any questions from the public.
“We want to create awareness for MND whilst also raising money to go towards helping those suffering and the search for a cure,” Mr Wilson said.
The two events will run on Friday, November 4, with the golf and auction during the day (with 40 items donated by local business and the community) and the dinner starting at 6pm. Tickets for the MND dinner are $35, call 6495 6154 to book.
