Bundaberg football clubs came together over the weekend to raise money to fight Motor Neurone Disease with Sock it 2 MND.
Organised by United Park Eagles Football Club, the fundraising event raised $5000 which will go towards research and support for people with MND and their families.
United Park Eagles Football Club secretary Michelle Zielke knows too well the devastation of MND after losing her mum, Val Zielke, to the disease after a short battle.
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is the name given to a group of diseases in which the nerve cells (neurones) controlling the muscles that enable us to move around, speak, swallow and breathe fail to work normally and eventually die.
With no nerves to activate them, the muscles gradually weaken and waste. There is currently no truly effective treatment and no known cure for MND.
“My mother passed away in 2019, after being diagnosed in 2018,” Michelle said.
“The progression of the disease is so quick.
“Mum was a local postie and worked for as long as she could. I know she would be proud to know we are raising money to help find a cure, and support those who have MND.”
Martens Oval was a hive of activity on Saturday, as football clubs from around the region helped support the Sock it 2 MND cause.
“It was just amazing,” Michelle said.
“All football clubs, not just UPE, came together – it was one of those times players from different clubs were happy to be together.
“Most people knew mum, as she would come down to support our games.”
Michelle said at the Sock it 2 MND event, 700 raffle tickets were sold, and the sausage sizzle was a hit with families, but it was the players who wore the MND socks and jerseys who beamed with pride the most.
“The club has been so generous with support for the MND cause; Fiona Bath and Roger Hunter have kept it going and they’ve been so inspiring,” Michelle said.
“I just want to thank everyone who donated. I know mum was really happy with the three teams who did this a couple of years ago, and she would be proud now.”
The proceeds from the Sock it 2 MND fundraising event will be divided between Fight MND and MND and Me.
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