Team’s last fundraising hurrah before Daniher’s Drive

TEAM Monica Hayes is hosting their last fundraising event for MND research before heading off on famous regional road trip Daniher’s Drive.

A dinner at Portarlington Football Netball Club tonight (Thursday, September 22) will honour local identity Monica Hayes whose life was cut short by MND in 2016, and will be the Bellarine Peninsula team’s last fundraising event before the four-day trip.

Hayes was a community activist, psychologist and former Mayor of the City of Essendon, and prior to her death, was comforted by the knowledge that her trusty Subaru would be involved in the Daniher’s Drive to raise awareness about MND and money for medical research.

From October 13 to 16, Monica’s husband Geoff Fary and Portarlington locals Pete Evans, Darren Hellmann and Greg Hughes will drive Monica’s Subaru in their fifth Daniher’s Drive to honour her legacy.

So far in 2022, ‘Team Monica Hayes’ has raised $19,149 and the team hope to get to $25,000 before they convoy through Myrtleford, Lakes Entrance and Warragul.

“We are thrilled to be hosting one last major fundraiser to raise funds and awareness about what MND really is, for me it was just three letters when Monica was diagnosed,” husband Geoff Fary said.

“Unfortunately, now I know a lot more about it than I thought I ever would, which is why it’s important to make others aware of it and to fund medical research for better treatment and ultimately to find a cure.

“Our final community event will be a relaxed dinner at the local footy clubrooms and all proceeds from the bar, food and raffle will go towards research and the greater MND funding pool.

“Portarlington is a very generous community and over the course of our fundraising for MND since Monica’s death we have raised over $100,000 that has gone towards a search for a cure.”

“This year, we hope to get to $25,000 before we get behind the wheel.”

Fary and the team are encouraging everyone to be part of tonight’s event. Meals are $25, drinks are at bar prices and a large range of raffle prizes are available.

Businesses can also support the cause by sponsoring Team Monica Hayes and get their decal on the Subaru during Daniher’s Drive.

“We’ve had about a dozen businesses jump on board as sponsors for our drive, and still have a few spots left for decals,” team member Darren Hellmann said.

“We truly thank everyone that has donated so far whether it be through donations or sponsoring the vehicle or through raffle prizes.”

To donate, head to danihers.fightmnd.org.au/team-monica-hayes

To contact Team Monica Hayes about decals and raffle items, email [email protected].