Just over 300 people attended the event, which was held for the first time at W Sydney on Darling Harbour. The night included a gourmet dinner, live and silent auctions, live music and keynote speakers who shared their perspectives on MND.

Australian actor Matt Nable (Underbelly, Mr Inbetween) gave a moving speech about his late brother’s struggle with the disease. Firies Climb for MND organiser Gavin Clifton talked about the importance of fundraising, and Professor Dominic Rowe and Associate Professor Kelly Williams from the MND Research Centre spoke about current research.

The auctions were, as always, keenly fought, with the most popular items being a Japanese skiing holiday, which sold for $8000, a purebred Hereford calf from Professor Rowe’s Hunter Valley farm, and a tour of the MND Research Centre, which each sold for $6000. Both the calf and the tour proved so popular that one more of each was offered and quickly sold.

Two guests banded together to pay $5000 for Professor Rowe to take part in the Firies Climb for MND Blue Mountains event in August, a test of endurance that involves climbing the gruelling Furber Steps at Scenic World in Katoomba.

Other auction items included an antique samurai sword, holidays in the Blue Mountains, on Lord Howe Island and at Uluru, a bottle of limited-edition cognac, and private tours of the Macquarie Astronomical Observatory and Macquarie University History Museum.

Professor Rowe thanked everyone who assisted in making this year’s gala such a success.

“I can’t thank our donors enough,” he said.

“Their wonderful generosity is a vital part of keeping our MND Clinic going and enables us to support more than 200 patients a year at minimal cost to them.

“Research into innovative new treatments and therapies is much needed, but until the cure is found, good day-to-day care is so important in improving their quality of life.”

If you would like to donate, it’s not too late. You can give online at any time, and donations over $2 are tax deductible.