John Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Last year I lost a close friend to motor neurone disease—one Brad Drewett, a brilliant man and a loving husband and father—at the peak of his life. To suffer motor neurone disease is the cruellest fate. There are approximately 1,900 Australians with MND, with an estimated life expectancy of only 27 months. Those 27 months will see a steady disintegration of their muscles until they can no longer eat, breathe, or talk to their loved ones.

To do my small bit for those courageous people, from this Saturday I will be heading out on a walk of 100 kilometres around Bennelong to raise money and awareness for motor neurone disease. I will be stopping in at schools, aged-care centres, charities and shops as well as walking down hundreds of suburban streets and encouraging anyone who can to walk along with me. That includes everyone in this chamber, who I encourage to join me for an hour or two as I pound the pavements of Bennelong. My local community has already risen to the challenge. To be particularly commended is Epping Public School, which has decided to hold a mufti day on the day of my visit, with all proceeds going to MND. With generous efforts like this, I am confident we can raise considerable sums to fight against this cruel disease.

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