Snagging support for “devastating” disease
Motor Neurone Disease NZ and Bunnings representatives (L/R) Jitender Saim, Toni Foster, Tania Fruean, Mark Leggett, Tiffany Ioane and Laura Huet hope to see a nationwide turnout to Bunnings’ sausage sizzles this Saturday to support Motor Neurone Disease. Photo: Supplied.
Blenheim Bunnings' BBQs will join all others across New Zealand this Saturday for a national sausage sizzle to fundraise for Motor Neurone Disease New Zealand.
On Saturday, 28 June, Bunnings Blenheim will be a part of a nationwide BBQ fundraiser to support Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Awareness Month from 9am-3pm and help drive awareness.
Team members will be helping to raise vital funds for those impacted by MND in support of the charity’s annual appeal.
Motor Neurone Disease NZ Upper South Regional Support Advisor Jasmine Chua says the “devastating diagnosis” is even harder to support in regional centres, which makes the efforts of health professionals, and Saturday, even more important.
“It is a devastating diagnosis to receive, particularly for the patient but also for their loved ones”, she says.
“The people who are afflicted with this in Marlborough, at least five to six at any one time, do the very best they can during their personal journeys with MND.
“There is real resilience which they display, as well as dignity, in the face of this ferocious disease and the Marlborough health professionals who help these people with MND are sterling - truly working together as a team.
“They try to come up with solutions in the trickiest of situations, and provide ongoing, kind and knowledgeable care.
“Supporting local causes in our community is hugely important to our team,” said Bunnings New Zealand General Manager Melissa Haines.
“The contribution we can make through our national sausage sizzle allows us to roll up our sleeves and help support the fantastic work of MND NZ.
MND NZ Chief Executive Mark Leggett said the charity is grateful for the support from the Bunnings’ teams and customers for a disease which “does not discriminate”.
“It is a progressive and ultimately terminal disease that gradually strips away a person’s ability to walk, talk, eat — and eventually, to breathe.
“At present, there is no truly effective treatment and no known cure, so the support we receive through the partnership with Bunnings aids further research and support for those affected”.