Curves ices it up for MND

AN ICE bucket challenge has wrapped up a week of fundraising for MND Victoria at Curves Drysdale.

Owner Andrea Keating, along with staff and members, have helped raise more than $2,100 to provide vital care and support for people with motor neurone disease and fund research.

The team at Curves Drysdale were inspired to fundraise after learning that the husband of one of their members, Mary Cockett, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a condition which affects the nerve cells (neurons), causing weakness in the muscles that gets worse and eventually leads to paralysis.

Terry Cockett was diagnosed with MND in November 2017 after his family and friends noticed that he had started slurring his words. Since then, Terry has lost his ability to talk and feeds through a tube in his stomach.

The Clifton Springs couple took part in Walk to D’Feet MND at Barwon Valley Fun Park on Sunday, and have also raised more than $1300 between themselves.

“When I mentioned to the girls that we were doing the walk they said ‘yes, we will help you raise some money’,” Mrs Cockett said.

Another member, Anne Netley, who lives in a local retirement village, has raised $670 from friends who sponsored her not to drink wine this month.

“We are doing a mini Neale Daniher,” Mrs Cockett joked.

“I originally thought we’d donate $100, so I put that down for the walk, but it’s turned into a lot more than that!”

Andrea said Mary never approached Curves Drysdale to help with fundraising, and that it was only through a staff member that they found out the Cocketts were taking part in Walk to D’Feet MND.

“We said let’s do something because we always want to help, and it’s no better than helping one of our own, which is important,” Ms Keating said.

Mary said Terry still had a sense of humour – donning his “Eat Well. Keep Fit. Die Anyway” shirt – and that it was important to keep their spirits up.

“He can still walk and do things, and he’s still playing guitar, he played in a band for 21 years so he can still play that, he was big into music so that’s important to continue.”

To donate, visit Curves Drysdale and drop your loose change into their fundraising tin, or head to mycause.com.au/page/185026/the-cocketts.