Bunbury community to band together and walk for a noble cause

Bunbury will play a vital role in raising funds and awareness for a terminal neurological disorder when Walk to D’Feet MND returns to the South West this month. Back for its sixth year, the 4km fun-walk along Koombana Bay on May 28 will raise money for researching and aiding those suffering with motor neurone disease. MND is a progressive, terminal neurological condition that attacks the motor neurones, with no known cause or set of symptoms. MNDWA fundraising and events manager Sarah Wiley said the event sought to raise not only funds but greater awareness of the disease as a whole. “As important as funds are, it really is about awareness,” she said. “If people can see us all walking along Koombana Bay and stop to ask what’s going on we can tell them all about MND because a lot of people just have no idea. “If we can highlight to as many people as possible, and we catch one person who thinks towards that person and my hands a bit weak, I’m gonna go to the doctor just in case and then we catch them earlier, while we’re not going to change the outcome, we’re gonna make it their their opportunity to live their life with it better.” With about 200 West Australians affected by the disease, MS Wiley said every cent counts — MNDWA is hoping to this year raise $20,000. “$20,000 can contribute significantly towards improving someone’s life when they are living with MND,” she said. “It can go towards communication devices, wheelchairs, bereavement groups, things that can help people participate in everyday life as best they can while they’re still here. “It’s a drop in the ocean of what we need to raise to support everyone but it makes a real difference to us are such small charity.” Bunbury residents are encouraged to get involved by walking, running or cartwheeling the 4km distance — with furry friends also invited to take part in the fun. Starting from just $15 per person, you can register for the event, and start your personal fundraiser via mndawa.asn.au/events.