PORTARLINGTON identity Monica Hayes, who died from Motor Neurone Disease (MND) last year, was remembered in this year\u2019s Daniher\u2019s Drive, which finished on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Established by prominent AFL identity Neale Daniher, himself a sufferer of the incurable and terminal condition, the drive is now an annual awareness and fundraising event involving more than 100 cars.<\/p>\n
This year, \u201cTeam Monica Hayes\u201d, which consisted of her husband and son Geoff and Sam Fary, brother Bernard Hayes and Sam\u2019s mate Marcus Poh, again took part in the four-day event.<\/p>\n
The men drove from Essendon to Wagga Wagga, Corowa and Moama in New South Wales, Echuca, Charlton, St Arnaud and Ballarat in Victoria, before finishing at the Deer Park Club.<\/p>\n
While they drove Monica\u2019s recent model station wagon in her memory, many of the other entries were in more exotic vehicles, such as a 60-year-old Ford Thunderbird.<\/p>\n
Strongly supported by the Portarlington Demons Football and Netball Club and many in the local community, \u201cTeam Monica Hayes\u201d raised almost $20,000 in badly needed funds for medical research into the particularly cruel disease.<\/p>\n
This year the total amount raised by the event was a staggering $2.1 million.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was Monica\u2019s fervent wish that a cure be found for this pernicious condition,\u201d Geoff Fary said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile it will obviously come too late for her, the medical research being funded by the \u2018Fight MND Foundation\u2019 is yielding results.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe generosity of our donors means that human trials of some promising new treatments are likely to start soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
As well as the long trip, Daniher\u2019s Drive involved entertainment, awareness raising functions and community events in many of the locations visited along the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were just blown away by the support we received, which even included people approaching us in small towns and handing over unsolicited $100 notes,\u201d Geoff said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be hard to resist the temptation to saddle up again for the fourth Daniher\u2019s Drive, which will cover a different route next year.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Anyone wishing to support the \u201cFight MND Foundation\u201d can write to Geoff Fary at P.O. Box 204 Portarlington 3223 or email gwfary@gmail.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PORTARLINGTON identity Monica Hayes, who died from Motor Neurone Disease (MND) last year, was remembered in this year\u2019s Daniher\u2019s Drive, which finished on Sunday. Established by prominent AFL identity Neale Daniher, himself a sufferer of the incurable and terminal condition, the drive is now an annual awareness and fundraising event involving more than 100 cars. […]<\/p>\n