Art sale to keep wheels moving for MND fund

Next month will mark one year since Busselton man Darren Whitby lost his battle to motor neurone disease, but his wife Kirsten is forging ahead in preserving his memory and raising funds for MND research and support services.

With the help of friends and family, Mrs Whitby has raised more than $21,000 for research and support services in the past 12 months.

Her latest endeavour draws on the artistic talents of her mother, who will be exhibiting her artwork at Sensations Cafe in Geographe until all pieces are sold.

The money will go towards MND research and support services and gets Mrs Whitby closer to her fundraising target of $25,000.

“My target started at $5000 and it keeps going up and up,” she said.

“Now it’s at $25,000, but to be honest, I’ll probably just keep raising it.”

Mrs Whitby pointed to a quote from MND Australia to highlight the importance of research funding.

“There is a cure for MND, we just haven’t found it yet,” she said.

“Things like the ice bucket challenge are generating tangible results, even if people think they’re just a fad.

“A cure requires research, and research requires money — that’s why these things are so important.”

Mrs Whitby has dubbed her fundraising efforts Darren’s Ride, inspired by friend Margaret Hitching’s bike ride from Perth to Busselton earlier this year to raise awareness.

“It’s become more about his ride through life — it’s symbolic now,” Mrs Whitby said.

“We want to keep his ride going.”

In the past year, Darren’s Ride has drawn donations from the Leeuwin Estate and the Leeuwin Carpark and Parking crew, clothing chain Blue Illusion, Marlee Country Kennels, local businesses, and more.

Mrs Hitching said the loss of her friend left a hole in the community of Busselton, but it was important to try and draw something good from a terrible situation.

For more information on MND or to make a donation, Visit www.darrensride.com.au.