INSPIRATIONAL football identity Neale Daniher will lead a 100-strong convoy of vehicles into Mount Gambier next Friday as part of the Fight Motor Neurone Disease Daniher’s Drive.
Members of the Daniher family, former Melbourne and Essendon footballers and other celebrities will form part of the 370-person contingent which will tour through the South East as part of a 1068km road-trip from Melbourne, raising money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease.
The Blue Lake city will play a key part in adding to the $1.1m raised for the 2018 charity drive before it has even hit the road, with a gala comedy and auction night at The Barn on Friday headlined by Tom Gleeson and Cal Wilson.
Neale’s daughter Bec Daniher said the Daniher’s Drive participants were extremely excited to visit the Limestone Coast next week.
“We try to go to a different major regional town each year and this is the first time we have ventured into South Australia,” Bec said.
“Some people in Mount Gambier have held some major fundraisers for the organisation in the past, so it seemed like the perfect place to make a major stop on the route.”
Bec said organisers were hopeful the gala evening would help the final fundraising figure for 2018 eclipse $2m.
“Friday night is our major fundraising event on the drive and Tom and Cal have generously donated their time to be there on the night,” Bec said.
“The chairman will be there to update everyone on the progress of Fight MND and there will be some great items auctioned off throughout the evening.”
The South East leg forms the second day of the four-day event, leaving Horsham in the morning and travelling through Nhill and Apsley, before stopping for lunch at Raidis Estate in the Penola district.
“We have been looking at the amazing landmarks the region has to offer, such as the Blue Lake, the sinkholes and the Coonawarra region,” Bec said.
“The Big Freeze is very city focused, so the drive is great because it gives our participants – who are also predominantly from the city – a chance to get out and visit regional towns to see the overwhelming support they also provide.”
Daniher’s Drive is all about having fun in the community and supporting the important cause.
“There will be some incredible cars on show, including Mustangs, Ferraris and also old antique vehicles,” Bec said.
“We are so excited, the Fight MND journey has been incredible and keeps growing from year to year.
“The way communities have rallied around people in need shows how generous Australians really are.”
Tickets to next Friday night’s gala event are available until Tuesday through the www.fightmnd.org.au website.
People are also encouraged to visit the website to make any donations or buy a ticket in the car raffle for a chance to win a brand new Lexus CT 200H Luxury valued at $50,000.
Daniher’s Drive is the Fight MND Foundation’s second biggest fundraiser behind the Big Freeze At The G, having already raised $5.5m since the first event in 2015.
