Daniher’s Drive revs up to fight MND

FightMND’s popular Daniher’s Drive fundraiser is back on the road for the first time since 2019. Here’s how to get involved.

Daniher’s Drive is set to hit the road again after two years of virtual events due to the pandemic.

The regional roadtrip – named after legendary AFL player Neale Daniher – is part of FightMND‘s mission to battle motor neurone disease, which claims the lives of two Australians a day. 

FightMND has raised millions to battle “Beast” since 2014, with Daniher’s Drive being one of its key events to raise funds and awareness.

In Daniher Drive’s seventh year, an 80-car convoy will take more than 300 participants on an 895km journey that starts at the MCG in Melbourne on October 13 and stretches across eastern Victoria before returning to Melbourne on October 16.

More than 40 teams of drivers are set to participate, with many returning for their fifth or sixth time. 

“The people who take part in Daniher’s Drive are like one big family and I can’t thank them enough for continuing to dig deep and play on in the fight to find a cure for this Beast of a disease,” Neale, pictured above with fellow Melbourne Demons great David Neitz, says.

A gala auction, comedy night and Halloween costume party are also part of this year’s itinerary. 

“While MND is a brutal disease, we still need to find time to come together and have some fun – which is what Daniher’s Drive is all about,” Neale, pictured below with daughter Bec Daniher, says. 

“This event has been more than two years in the making so I have no doubt it’s going to be a celebration to remember.”

Chemist Warehouse set to boost donations

Chemist Warehouse, a partner of FightMND since 2017, is again backing Daniher’s Drive with a national in-store fundraiser.

From October 13 to November 30, customers can donate to Daniher’s Drive at more than 475 Chemist Warehouse stores across Australia

Last year’s in-store donation drive helped raise more than $386,000.

FightMND chief executive Dr Fiona McIntosh says the support has been invaluable. 

“As a major partner of Daniher’s Drive, we are so proud and grateful to have the ongoing support of Chemist Warehouse, their customers and team in the fight against MND,” Dr McIntosh says.

“This year our Drive teams have already raised more than $1 million for FightMND and it’s only set to grow thanks to Chemist Warehouse’s in-store donations campaign, which wraps up at the end of November.”

All money raised will go towards research, clinical trials and to help improve the lives of Australians living with MND.

FightMND has so far invested in 12 clinical trials and 22 drug development projects, with the money collected during this year’s Daniher’s Drive set to fund a new care strategy that will target accessibility to in-house equipment and support. 

“Every dollar raised takes us another step closer to finding effective treatments and a cure for this terrible disease,” Dr McIntosh says.  

Written by Tia Harmer.