Forbes’ first Walk to d’Feet Motor Neurone Disease has raised more than $23,000 for MND Australia.
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A total 179 walkers lapped Lake Forbes on Sunday morning, not deterred by the cold weather and beating the rain.
MND NSW fundraising manager Kym Neilsen described the local effort as “absolutely sensational”.
She said the funds would be split 50-50 to help people living with MND and fund research into the condition.
Local Pat Duncan, who helped coordinate the local event, lost her husband Stuart to MND in 2013.
Stuart was 76 when he died, just two years after diagnosis.
“We don’t know what causes MND and there is no cure,” Pat said. “Stuart was so fit and healthy when he was diagnosed.”
It grieved him to know that younger people were being lost to MND and he urged his family to support research into the condition.
Pat and her friend Marcia Simmonds now volunteer and fundraise for MND Australia.
“MND Australia is so good,” Pat said.
“Just about everything you need they get through for you - whether it’s a bed, a wheelchair, anything.”
Pat thanked all the people who took part in Sunday’s walk and supported the fundraising.
“It was a really wonderful response and typical Forbes,” she said.
“It was great to see all the young people there walking, that was what Stuart wanted to do.
“It was also good to see two people in town who have MND there, smiling.”
There are plans for the walk to become an annual event in Forbes.
Pat also expressed her appreciation to the sponsors, the Lions Club and Kevin Gunn, The Advocate, Win TV and 2PK for promoting and supporting the event.
