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Support Daniher's Drive as it passes through Gippsland from 13 - 16 October 2022 and help fight motor neurone disease

Only one month to go to Daniher's Drive 2022, time to get this wonderful antique on the road!

By news@gippsland - 29th September 2022 - Back to News

There is less than a month to go before 80 cars and nearly 300 people depart from the MCG on the famous 'Daniher's Drive' to raise funds and awareness for FightMND. Patron Neale Daniher and 'Drive' veteran and former Demon's superstar David Neitz marked the milestone by visiting the Jayco Caravans HQ and inspecting the $62,000 Starcraft Bushpack caravan raffle prize on offer to help boost fundraising for this year's drive.

The route through the North East and Gippsland was specially chosen for the postponed 2020 and 2021 Daniher's Drive to support regions impacted by the devastating bushfires

They were joined by brothers Tim and Jeremy Smith, who will be piloting their father's restored vintage Model A Ford in the Daniher's Drive for the first time, honouring their late Dad who passed away from MND in 2020 at the age of 67.

Display of community spirit

FightMND Campaigns Director Bec Daniher said, "From our cities to our regional towns, MND touches every corner of our community and there is no stronger display of community spirit than people rallying behind the fight against MND - while having plenty of fun."

"I can't wait to take the fight against the Beast on the road again, raising awareness and connecting with communities in Victoria's North East and Gippsland."

"The people who take part in Daniher's Drive are like one big family - this event has been more than two years in the making so I have no doubt it's going to be a reunion celebration to remember."

Making impact to the people

FightMND CEO Dr. Fiona McIntosh said, "While MND is a brutal disease, we still need to find time to come together and have some fun - which is what Daniher's Drive is all about."

"We know it will take people to defeat this Beast, and it's only thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of our Drive teams and the local communities that we pass through, that we are able to make a real impact for people living with MND.

Getting back on the road

FightMND Patron Neale Daniher AO said, "With Daniher's Drive already booked out at 300 people - the best way to support our fundraising efforts is to buy a ticket in the Daniher's Drive Jayco raffle. All money raised through the raffle will go towards urgent MND research and care to improve the lives of people living with MND."

"I'd like to personally thank Gerry Ryan, the team at Jayco and all our wonderful Drive partners including Chemist Warehouse, who have joined us in the fight against the Beast this year."

"After two years of false starts, my family and I can't wait to get back on the road again for what promises to be an unforgettable Drive - spreading awareness and raising funds while having plenty of fun along the way."

From left to right, David Neitz, Neale Daniher, Scott Jones - Jayco Sales & Innovation Manager, Tim Smith, Jeremy Smith

Support the drive

Tim Smith said, "We want to support the drive and raise money for FightMND, our father was diagnosed in 2019 and sadly passed away in 2020 - and we just want to spread the word and try to raise some money for research and other things"

"The car is a 1928 Ford Model A and was imported from the USA in 1989, and it took 12 years to restore and it's been on the road for a while now and has travelled a fair bit of the country - it still goes really well and we are going to continue enjoying it, as Dad did"

In honour of their father

Jeremy Smith said, "It means a lot to have Dad's car and be part of the FightMND family as strangely enough I was never into Dad's cars and it's never been something I have loved but now to be able to do this with my brother especially is super important and to be able to honour our Dad and do something that he would have loved to have done is really great I think."

"I think for us this connection with others will be really important, people who have had the same experience as us because MND attacks people in different ways so seeing how other people's experiences vary from ours is going to be interesting, and probably a little healing for us as well and I'm looking forward to it."

Getting involved with a cause

Scott Jones - Sales and Innovation Manager Jayco said, "For us it's an amazing opportunity to get involved with a great cause and we are doing all that we can to make it a success. We were so excited and when we were approached we couldn't believe it, we actually felt lucky to be involved through good fortune and we are doing everything we can"

"This van is one of our most popular units, the Jayco Starcraft, great value and designed to be packed full of features but with a great price point - its got fridge, full ensuite, three bunks in the back of this one, so you can bring 2-3-4 kids as you need, its really flexible and versatile"

Striving in the one direction

David Neitz - Champion Demon Captain and Daniher's Drive veteran said, "The caravan is magnificent and everything you need for an awesome holiday and the car is special as well, looking forward to seeing it on the drive and being a part of it - I reckon it will go 1000 times better than our old Kombi van from a few years ago hahaha!"

"The drive has always been a big part of our old boys calendar and the entire Daniher family all get around and support and to see the entire family of the MND community to come together is amazing."

"And there has already been so much fund-raising done before we even get on the road so the energy and emotion is huge - and it is a wonderful thing to come together for the cause and we are all striving in the one direction to find a cure." Mr Neitz said.

In addition to nightly events and community activities along the route, the Drive also offers a special chance to connect with regional families who have been touched by Motor Neurone Disease (MND)

Organise your preview interview

After two years of delays, a convoy of 80 cars carrying more than 300 participants will journey through regional Victoria raising awareness and funds for FightMND, departing from Daniher's Way (MCG), they will travel approximately 895 kilometres:

• Day 1, Thur 13 October - MCG to Myrtleford via Wallan and Euroa
• Day 2, Fri 14 October - Myrtleford/Bright to Lakes Entrance via Omeo and Bruthen
• Day 3, Sat 15 October - Lakes Entrance to Warragul via Metung
• Day 4, Sun 16 October - Warragul to Melbourne

It will mark the first time in two years that the popular Drive event has returned to the road, with the opportunity to visit regional communities and support their recovery from the 2020 bushfires and the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns.

In addition to nightly events and community activities along the route, the Drive also offers a special chance to connect with regional families who have been touched by Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Jayco generously donates the 2022 model caravan worth $61,990 to support Daniher's Drive fundraising raffle with all funds raised going to FightMND

Support the fundraising

Locals can support the fundraising efforts of Daniher's Drive by:

• Purchasing a ticket in the Daniher's Drive Jayco raffle where they could win a Jayco Starcraft Bushpack Caravan, valued at $61,990. Tickets for the Daniher's Drive raffle are available online at Daniher's Drive raffle tickets page
• Come along to one of two night events - tickets available at FightMND 27 website
• Comedy and Auction Gala, Lakes Entrance - Friday 14 October ($150)
• Halloween Costume Party, Warragul - Saturday 15 October ($160)
• Head into your local Chemist Warehouse store and make an in-store donation at the counter from the 13 October - 30 November

Choose your challenge, start fundraising and help make a meaningful difference for people living with MND.

Drive background

Now in its sixth year, Daniher's Drive is an annual road trip through regional Victoria that started as a simple quest to raise awareness of MND and has since grown into a marquee regional fundraiser drawing participants from all over Australia.

There is no stronger display of camaraderie and community spirit than people coming together and rallying behind the fight against the Beast that is MND.

A proud cornerstone of the Drive is fundraising, with each team raising a minimum of $5000 to take part. However, many teams consistently exceed this target. This year, the Drive hopes to raise more than $2.5 million for FightMND.

Improving lives

Funds raised through the Drive will be invested in vital and urgent MND research and care initiatives to improve the lives of those living with MND. Daniher's Drive has helped raise more than $10 million for FightMND since it first began in 2015.

Daniher's Drive has travelled through nearly every corner of Victoria (and parts of NSW and SA) from Gippsland to the Alpine region, Central Highlands, the Wimmera-Mallee and the Great Ocean Road.

Daniher's Drive is supported by Chemist Warehouse, PSC Insurance, Jayco (National Raffle Sponsor), Bayside Coaches, CMV Trucks & Buses and Coles Express.

Help to raise funds

For the first time, Jayco, Australia's most popular brand of RVs, has stepped up to help Drive participants raise funds by generously donating a Jayco Starcraft Bushpack Caravan 2022 valued at $61,990 (RRP) as the major prize for the Daniher's Drive raffle.

With tickets costing $50 each, the Daniher's Drive raffle is open to residents in Victoria, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Tasmania until 14 October 2022. Tickets for the Daniher's Drive raffle are available online.

All funds raised through the raffle will not only support Daniher's Drive but help fund urgent MND research and care for those living with MND. Daniher's Drive is also supported by Chemist Warehouse, PSC Insurance, Bayside Coaches and CMV Trucks & Buses.

Time to get this wonderful antique on the road and on to Daniher's Drive 2022

About FightMND

FightMND exists to champion hope and lead the fight against the Beast that is Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Founded in 2014 by Neale Daniher AO, Pat Cunningham and the late Dr Ian Davis, FightMND has since grown into one of the world's largest independent funders of MND research.

FightMND is driven by a singular and urgent purpose - a world free of MND and we achieve this by:

• Funding cutting-edge MND research within Australia and globally to fast-track discoveries of potential new treatments and ultimately find a cure
• Funding vital care equipment for people living with MND so that they can maintain their independence, and dignity and have an improved quality of life
• Raising awareness and pushing MND into the spotlight

Through campaigns such as the Big Freeze, Daniher's Drive, 27 Challenge, Sockit2MND, community fundraising and general donations, FightMND raises awareness and funds to invest in the fight against MND.

Pictures from FightMND website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com