Bellarine team leading the FightMND charge

A TIGHT-KNIT group of Bellarine locals have their wheels in motion this week to raise vital funds for Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in the 2024 Daniher’s Drive.

Geoff Fary, Darren Hellman, Pete Evans and Greg Hughes of Team Monica Hayes are today (Friday, October 11) halfway through the annual four-day fundraising event.

The Daniher’s Drive will see the four close mates take their trusty Mazda through regional Victorian locations including Bendigo, Warrnambool and Lorne to raise awareness of “the beast.”

The Bellarine locals have raised over $23,000 for the cause.

This year marks their eighth consecutive year of taking part in the event in memory of Geoff’s wife Monica Hayes, who passed away from MND in 2016.

The team has already raised more than $23,000 this year, surpassing their fundraising target of $20,000 before the drive had started.

Speaking ahead of the drive, Mr Fary said excitement was high heading into the event.

Team Monica Hayes is participating in its eighth consecutive Daniher’s Drive event.

“Once again, we’ve been gobsmacked by the generosity of our small community who have fully gotten behind us.

“To have overshot our fundraising before the drive had commenced was a huge achievement. It’s meant since we started doing the Daniher’s Drive, we’ve raised over $180,000 for MND research.

“We are very much looking forward to the remainder of the drive. Visiting all the small towns along the way has been very enjoyable.”

Mr Fary said the team was looking forward to “frocking up” tomorrow (Saturday, October 12) evening in Lorne for the Fairytale Gala.

“The small communities have been delighted when we’ve come through and Lorne will be no different.

“You probably won’t want to see us in our dress ups. I can’t reveal what it is, it’s a secret. It’ll be something to behold.”

Geoff Fary stickering up the car before the drive began.

The voice of the FightMND campaign, Bec Daniher, said she couldn’t wait to get back to Lorne and the Surf Coast.

“It was at the mighty Lorne SLSC where I launched my surfboat rowing journey and went onto championship honours at National Titles in 2018.

“The area is a place of such happy memories and some great achievements.

“There will be loads of cars in town and Lorne will host our famous fancy dress night.

“It will also be where we are expecting to release our tally announcement Sunday morning. We are hoping to collectively over the eight-year journey push the $16 million mark for total funds raised.”