Over two decades ago, Gwenanne’s family first took part in Walk to Defeat MND Sydney at Hyde Park in honour of her husband John, who she was caring for at home while he battled motor neurone disease.
The following year, Gwenanne joined them, and has been a regular at Walk to Defeat MND ever since, attending our Sydney Walks and even holding a Virtual Walk with her family during COVID times.
Gwenanne said the support she and John received was ‘just amazing’, motivating her to continue coming to Walks and volunteering for MND NSW at Walk to Defeat MND events and in assisting with a number of other activities.
“We greatly appreciated the support and equipment we received, I couldn’t have nursed him at home without it,” she said.
“Apart from a couple of walkers, everything else we got from MND NSW – his bed, mattress, a lifter, shower chair, the power wheelchair. He never had any pressure issues, and even one day when we had an issue after the mattress regulator got knocked out of place, one of the MND NSW team came over and fixed it up for us as they were nearby at the time.”
She has enjoyed supporting MND NSW, and has met many wonderful MND Community members along the way.
“It’s been lovely to meet others over the years, and to talk with them about their experiences. Everyone’s MND story is so different.”
2025 marked 20 years since Gwenanne sadly lost her husband to MND, and their family came together to all attend Walk to Defeat MND Sydney, raising almost $11,500.
They’ll be back again in 2026, and are once again planning to catch up with the MND Community at the event, and will then enjoy a family picnic in the park after the Walk.
“We need people to come along and support these events, so MND NSW can continue to get equipment and more out to people who are facing MND,” she said.
“Families experiencing MND are very grateful for the assistance MND NSW provides.”
You can join Gwenanne at Walk to Defeat MND Sydney 2026 and help MND NSW provide support for hundreds of families facing MND – find out more or register now at walktodefeatmnd.org.au/sydney
