By Danielle Kutchel
Two Devon Meadows sporting codes will come together next month to raise funds for MND Victoria to support the research, vital services and equipment they provide for individuals living with motor neurone disease.
Devon Meadows Junior Football Club will join forces with its sister netball club for the matches on July 6 in the name of fighting the insidious disease.
Organiser Joanne Bertuna said the initiative was inspired in part by her mother, who was diagnosed with MND at the same time as AFL great Neale Daniher in 2013.
“We are at a point now where we’re starting to rely heavily on help from MND Victoria,” Ms Bertuna said.
In 2020 Ms Bertuna along with 11 other ambassadors will participate in a nationally aired television programme highlighting the importance of fundraising efforts and raising awareness of the disease. She has been chosen by the foundation to undertake more fundraising activities for them, and has pledged to raise $10,000 by December.
To reach that amount, Ms Bertuna has plenty of activities lined up.
On the day of the big match, both the football and netball players will wear striped socks in the colours of the foundation. There will be a silent auction on the day, with prizes including a signed Melbourne Football Club jumper, along with face painting for the kids and a caricature artist.
A representative of MND Victoria will present a small talk on the day to raise awareness of the disease.
A raffle will be launched on July 1, with tickets on sale right through until September and the raffle drawn on September 30. Raffle prizes include double passes to the Australian Open in 2020, an RACV resort voucher, and a round of golf at Peninsula Kingswood worth $1000.
Ms Bertuna will also hold a Bunnings sausage sizzle at Cranbourne Bunnings on September 29 to contribute to her tally, which so far sits at $4200.
She hopes to also sell some copies of her mother’s book, Teresa’s Terrific Tales, which was published by the family earlier this year based on Teresa’s own handwritten children’s stories from 20 years ago.
Glenn Michie, vice president of Devon Meadows Football Netball Club, said the fundraiser was a great opportunity for the club to get behind.
“It shines a positive light on football and the things football can do for people,” he said.
Donations to the fundraiser can be made at https://charitytv.everydayhero.com/au/joanne.
