By Bonny Burrows
Angela Sykes has been revving up her engine in support of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research since 2014, and she’s gearing up to get behind the wheel once again.
The Pakenham woman, who lost her father Harvey to the debilitating degenerative nerve disease in 2013 and her grandmother some 30 years prior, will continue her fight in finding a cure for MND in October’s Daniher’s Drive.
Run by the Cure for MND Foundation and named after Australian rules footballer Neale Daniher who is battling the disease, the four-day road-trip sees sports fans and those touched by MND travel the state to raise funds and awareness in the hope of finding a cure.
This year’s ride will take participants through the Goulburn River Valley region, characterised by rolling hills, lush forests and majestic rivers and lakes, stopping at the many towns along the way for a string of fund-raiser events.
Ms Sykes’ partner Rob Falkingham, sister Amanda Elmer and friend Nicole Droscher make up team ‘Harvey’s Angels,” in memory of her dad and hope to raise in excess of $10,000.
Ms Sykes said she knew all too well the devastating impacts of the disease and the importance of research.
“I was four when my nanna died due to Motor Neurone Disease. She was a very proud lady, well kept, and always had her hair done and beautiful clothes,” Ms Sykes said.
“I don’t have many memories of her being unwell as she requested that we didn’t see her deteriorating, but my dad used to say to my siblings and I that he wouldn’t wish MND on his worst enemy.”
Sadly, 30 years later, the disease would also claim Harvey’s life.
“It was a quick and frightening deterioration for a man that had lived a physically demanding job as a carpenter since he was in his teens. It was devastating to watch,” Ms Sykes said.
“It was horrifying really and so very sad to realise in the 30 years between their deaths there had been no advancement in the treatment or cure for MND.”
It is for this reason she became involved in Daniher’s Drive.
“We want to give people hope. Previously there hasn’t been hope for people living with MND,” Ms Sykes said.
“Prognosis is terribly poor and quality of life declines rapidly, so supportive measures are usually all that can be offered.
“We would like to bring hope for some sort of treatment, even a cure.”
Daniher’s Drive is being held from 12 -15 October.
To find out more, or to support Ms Syke’s fund-raising efforts, visit: https://danihersdrive2017.everydayhero.com/au/harveys-angels
