Anna Jessup, along with her A-Team, has taken part in every Illawarra Walk to Defeat MND since her mum was diagnosed in 2018. Photo: Anna Jessup.
Registrations are open for Walk to Defeat MND Illawarra 2024.
The event raises vital funds to support people with motor neurone disease (MND) and their families.
Wollongong’s Stephanie Hutchison will take part in the walk for the first time this year in memory of her poppy, Brian, who died from MND in 2000, aged 52.
“I don’t want another family to go through the hardships we did,” she said.
“My poppy was a big, active man; he was a fix-it man who loved gardening and loved animals; he was a really good man.
“Even when he was in a wheelchair he would get Nanna to tie our trikes to the back of it and zoom us up and down the driveway.
“To watch one of the strongest people you’ve ever known turn into a shell of what they used to be, to watch them slowly disappear, it’s awful.”
Proceeds from the Walk to Defeat MND go towards equipment for people living with MND, such as mobility, transport and hygiene equipment.
Stephanie said access to appropriate equipment would have made an enormous difference for her family.
“Poppy was a big bloke, and Nanna was in her 50s, so everyday things became really hard,” she said.
“Getting in and out of bed, going to the toilet, eating breakfast, things you take for granted.
“Especially once he was in the wheelchair, getting him places was really tough.”
Stephanie will be walking with her dog, named ‘Poppy’ in Brian’s honour.
Flinders resident Anna Jessup will also take part in the walk, just as she has every year since 2018 when her mum was diagnosed with the disease.
Thanks to the support of Motor Neurone Disease NSW, vital bathroom equipment and bedding were all supplied.
Anna said she hoped the walk would help raise awareness of MND in the community.
“Mum had never had a sick day in her life,” Anna said.
“It was a shock to all of us when she was diagnosed. She died a year later in 2019 at the age of 69.
“It’s a brutal disease, and unlike cancer many people have never heard of it until they know someone who is diagnosed with it.”
Anna would also like to see more research into the disease.
On an average day in Australia two people are diagnosed with MND – and another two die from it.
It is not a notifiable disease, which makes it difficult for researchers to study.
“The Illawarra has quite a high number of people that suffer from it,” Anna said.
“I’d like to see more funding into research and the best way to do that is to get behind a team of people doing the walk.
“Every year the Illawarra walk raises a significant amount.”
The 2024 walk will take place from 10 am on 8 September at Bulli Surf Club. T-shirt pickup and merchandise sales will open at 9:30 am.
The walk starts and finishes at Bulli Beach Reserve, is about 5 km long and is wheelchair, stroller and leashed-dog friendly.
Organisers are asking dog walkers to please bring poo bags.
Funds raised also go to equipment, education, information and additional support.
Registrations are still open. To register for the walk head to Walk to Defeat MND Illawarra.
To donate to Stephanie head to Walk to d’Feet MND – Stephanie Hutchison (walktodefeatmnd.org.au).
To donate to Anna’s team head to Walk to d’Feet MND – The A Team (walktodefeatmnd.org.au).
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