Mary, Kayla and Amanda work with MND NSW to support other families affected by motor neuron disease.
It's 8:30am when Mary, 68 and her two daughters Kayla, 33 and Amanda, 41 gather ready to spend the day supporting participants of MND NSW ‘Walk to Defeat MND.’
MND NSW hosts a number of these walks each year. The walks are designed for all ages and abilities. Everyone can participate at their own pace with stroller and wheelchair-friendly courses available. The walks raise awareness of motor neurone disease and build a sense of community for those impacted.
(Image) From Left to Right: Mary, Amanda and Kayla with Kym Neilsen (Fundraising Manager) and Zakhia Aoun (volunteer) at a Walk to Defeat MND event.
Mary, Kayla and Amanda travel around NSW attending as many of the walks as they can.
Mary explains her role as a volunteer, “I tend to man the merchandise stand so its available to participants when they finish the walk. Amanda and Kayla also help at the stand but float around doing whatever is needed.
“At the 2025 Sydney Walk, we found out there was construction along the path the participants were going to walk so we had to change the course at the last minute, Amanda and Kayla quickly put on their hi-vis vests and made their way to where the changes were to ensure no one got lost.”
Mary sadly lost her husband to motor neuron disease in 2013, after he was diagnosed in 2011.
“MND NSW makes sure that no one going through a diagnosis of motor neuron disease is left unsupported.” Mary says.
After losing their husband and father, Mary, Amanda and Kayla devoted themselves to supporting MND NSW. They have been volunteering as a group for more than ten years. Their efforts have helped MND NSW raise awareness and vital funds.
(Image) Amanda talking to participants at the merchandise table.
Not only have they given valuable support to MND NSW, volunteering together helps them stay connected. MND NSW is deeply appreciative of the support they receive from the volunteer trio. A spokesperson for the organisation describes:
“Mary, Kayla and Amanda are always happy to help and will travel to various locations as needed to ensure that our events are a success. They take the opportunity to spend time together by making a ‘girl's weekend away’ as they volunteer to assist at various walks from Sydney to Port Macquarie and have even travelled to Canberra to volunteer at our Walk to Defeat MND events.”
MND NSW provides information and support and to people living with motor neurone disease, their families, friends and carers in NSW, ACT and NT. They also provide education about motor neurone disease for health, community and residential care professionals. They are supporting UN SDGs 3 Good Health and Wellbeing and 10 Reduced Inequalities.
For more information about MND NSW visit their website.
