Kevin Payne at the MNDfundraiser.
Stock and Mingle’s MND fundraiser on 18 June successfully raised more than $3000 to be donated to FightMND, a national charity who raises funds for research and programs for Australians affected by MND.
“We are so excited to announce that $3123.65 was raised at our fundraiser and was given straight to the ‘The Old Crackers’ for their FightMND Drive,” says Stop and Mingle co-coordinator, Wendy Millynn.
The Old Crackers (Jacinta Ives, Sharon Gordon and Wendy McCrone) have travelled up from Melbourne as a part of Daniher’s Drive and have already surpassed their 2026 goal of $20,000 with $26,467. They will be travelling interstate to South Australia in the coming months to continue funding for MND research.
Last year alone, the three ladies raised more than $90,000 for FightMND.
Wendy says they were grateful to welcome more than 50 people to their event.
“It went twice as long as we thought it would and we had a lot of fun!” she says.
Although the hard work done by Wendy and her fellow Stop and Mingle coordinator, Anita Morton, put on a truly astounding event, Kevin Payne stole the show as the ‘Princess of the MND’.
“People donated money to help Kevin get in the dress on the day,” says Wendy.
“He raised $256 on the day for doing that.
“He is such a good sport and took one for the team.”
Kevin wasn’t the only one in blue with several of the ladies dressed up in their finest shades of azure, sky and navy blue.
“It was a lot of fun, our best dressed went to Francis Butchy who dyed her hair blue!” says Wendy.
Guests heard from speaker Dennis Miller, who has Parkinsons. Dennis spoke about a treatment he is currently undergoing that may be explored for people with MND.
“They put electrodes in sections of his brain to stop the motor movement,” says Wendy.
“It was amazing that he came over to share his experience, we really appreciated it.”
Now that the smoke has cleared on their successful event, Wendy says she and Anita are optimistic that they’ll do something similar again in the future.
“A huge thank you to everyone who came and supported the cause,” she says.
“We couldn’t have done it without our sponsors who provided so many goods to raffle off and sell.”
In no particular order, sponsors included: Cornfords Temora, Cootamundra Men’s Shed, Temora Post Office, Dianne Berkrey, Diamonds & Dust Temora, Jo & Marlene Murchie, Wendy Millynn (Norwex), Sara Williams, Little Rae of Sunshine Temora, Wade Huxley, Andrew Axiak, Stockinbingal Heritage Room, Russell Vincent, Emma McCallum, Sandra Fallon, Isla Bingham and Russell Bradford (RB Carriage & Coach Hire).
Stop and Mingle’s $3123.65 has already been given to the Old Crackers, who are continuing their journey for FightMND.
Elizabeth Kovacs
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