WOMBAT’S Lois Bloor wanted to do what she could to raise awareness of an illness that has her confined to a wheelchair and fully dependant on others.
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Lois suffers from Motor Neurone Disease (MND) - a rapidly progressing, neurological disease in which the nerve cells (neurones) controlling the muscles that enable us to move, speak, breathe and swallow undergo degeneration and die.
A worldwide social media campaign called the Ice Bucket Challenge has raised awareness of the disease and around $2.5 million vital funds for MND research and to support people living with MND in Australia.
So on Sunday, September 21 Lois decided she’d do her bit and bravely took on an ice bucket challenge of her own outside her Rose Street home, raising more than $3000 in front of 40 spectators.
The 62-year-old was initially seeking just $2 from individuals in the lead-up to her challenge, but it wasn’t long before people began opening their wallets, sending more than coins her way. So much so Lois had raised just over $1300 before the big day.
But one other event worked in her favour with her home located across the road from the Wombat Sportsground which played host to the Wombat Bike Rally on the same weekend.
Benevolent bikers and visitors to the rally all dug deep to almost double Lois’s total.
Knowing all too well there’s no effective treatment or cure, Lois said she was overwhelmed with the support.
And despite having lost the ability to speak and swallow - Lois’s daughter Angela Bennett said she found a way to communicate her thanks.
She said her mother posted on Facebook and “said” to everyone watching with her iPad and an app called ‘Speak It’, the following:
“I wanted to do this challenge because it’s something I can do to help raise funds for MND research and awareness.
“I am overwhelmed with people’s response with over $3000 now raised.
“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed: friends, family, friends of friends, Bikers Australia and the Wombat Hotel. I am very much in appreciation. Thank you so very much!”
Lois was diagnosed with MND at age 58 - as was her grandfather, mother, uncle and brother, who all died at 63.
Lois turns 63 in December.
Any donations still will be gratefully received either in person to Lois Bloor at Rose Street, Wombat or online at www.mndaust.asn.au/Home.aspx (orange button to donate and select research).
