This year’s MND Gala is being held on 23 June at the Art Gallery of NSW. The event also marks the 10^th anniversary of the Macquarie University Centre for MND Research.

Live and silent auctions on the night are a key fundraiser, and contributed nearly $117,000 of the $146,000 total raised last year.

Research Centre Director Professor Dominic Rowe is hoping to repeat the feat this year.

“What we are looking for are amazing experiences that aren’t usually available, like a training session with an Olympian or accommodation at a private property, but we certainly wouldn’t say no to that bottle of Grange hiding at the back of your cellar,” Professor Rowe says.

“We’ve had people donate incredible items like a stay at their house in France, or a week on Lord Howe Island.

“The past two years, I’ve offered a calf from my farm in the Hunter Valley, and last year the bidding was so fierce that when the first one sold for $15,000, I put up a second one.

“So far all the calves have remained on the farm, where we feed and care for them, and the owners have a standing invitation to drop in to see how their calf is doing and stay for tea and homemade scones.”

Professor Rowe also offered two personally cooked lunches for groups of 10 on his farm, with each one selling for $30,000.

This year, in addition to a calf, Professor Rowe hopes to offer a guided birdwatching tour of the property, where a mind-blowing 120 species of birds have been recorded.

“We really want to make the 10^th anniversary auction amazing and we are open to all suggestions, so if you can help, please get in touch,” he says.

If you can provide an auction item, please email Professor Rowe at dominicrowe@mac.com

Tickets for the gala are now on sale. If you can’t attend but would still like to support the work of the Centre for MND Research, monetary donations are welcome.