More than 330 guests joined Macquarie’s Professor Dominic Rowe and his clinical and research colleagues to support the fight against motor neuron disease (MND) at the 2025 MND Gala.

Held at Darling Harbour, and sold out well in advance, the event raised more than $224,000 to support the MND Research Centre at Macquarie University, the largest centre and clinic of its kind in Australia.

Pledging $1000 per lap, guests at the Gala sponsored Professor Dominic Rowe to do 22 laps of the 951-step Furber Stairs at Scenic World in the Blue Mountains, as part the Firies Climb for MND event to be held on 29 and 30 August.

A highlight of the evening was an insightful, poetic and moving speech by clinical psychologist Gary Suntup, whose father had MND and was treated by Professor Rowe. Mr Suntup is also living with MND.

“It’s a disease that strips away so much but also reveals so much about what we often take for granted,” he observed. “Living with MND means facing the abyss and choosing not to enter.”

Mr Suntup thanked Professor Rowe and his “incredible” team for their care and support and urged other attendees to support the cause.

“The comfortable friendly space of your neuro clinic softens the hard-edged reality,” he said.

“Knowing I’m in the hands of people who care, under the leadership of someone who cares deeply and is a dedicated warrior to the cause, provides a profound level of comfort and ease.”