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Mr Smith and Mr Russell will complete Daniher\u2019s Drive in Smith\u2019s 2017 GT Ford Mustang.<\/p>\n
To book a place at Team Monica Hayes\u2019 Fundraising Dinner email Geoff Fary at gwfary@gmail.com<\/p>\n
PORTARLINGTON’S biggest motor neuron disease fundraiser is returning to Pier Front Pizzeria next month raising money for MND research.<\/p>\n
Team Monica Hayes co-ordinator Geoff Fary, whose wife died from MND in 2016, said he hopes this year’s fundraising dinner on July 12 will be a bigger success than last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people who came along had a really good time last year and that\u2019s a massive credit to owners John and Erin Geracitano, who were super gracious hosts,\u201d Mr Fary said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve managed to keep prices the same as last year, despite inflation, it\u2019s $50 for the three-course meal on the night with drinks at bar prices.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will provide the bulk of our funding to our efforts this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Fary confirmed Bellarine Smokehouse owner Jason Smith and Bellarine Distillery\u2019s Russell Watson will join himself, Mick Doyle, Darren Hellmann, and Greg Hughes in this year\u2019s Daniher\u2019s Drive from October 12-15.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re extremely happy to have Jason and Russell joining us this year,\u201d Mr Fary said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe met at a social gathering in Portarlington last year and we\u2019ll make the trip travelling through Swan Hill, Shepparton and Creswick later this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Smith said he had a friend in New Zealand that suffered from motor neuron disease and lost his mother to pancreatic cancer.<\/p>\n
He says joining Team Monica Hayes this year is a way to give something back.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a really good cause and I\u2019ve seen the first-hand effects of the disease,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat Team Monica Hayes is doing is also right on our front doorstep here on the Bellarine, so I thought why not?<\/p>\n