WHILE most people were getting out of bed this morning, Werribee’s Kylie Raven was embarking on day four of a 265-kilometre walk from Melbourne to Wangaratta.
The arduous journey is to raise awareness of motor neurone disease, a degenerative condition which attacks the nervous system and eventually destroys voluntary muscular control.
Ms Raven lost her grandmother Mary to the disease in 2008.
During the gruelling trek she hopes to raise $20,000 for MND Victoria, in appreciation of the support the organisation offered her family.
Joining her are cousins Kerryn Donnison and Narelle Smith, and friend Melinda Brown.
Ms Raven says she knew nothing about MND before her grandmother was diagnosed and was shocked to learn there was no cure.
“We were told it was rare, but once nan was diagnosed we started to hear stories of other people who had it.
“Every day someone is diagnosed and someone is lost to MND. It affects everyone differently but they all eventually lose the ability to talk, eat and breathe.”
It has been a year of preparations for the walk which started in Federation Square last Sunday and concludes on Saturday in Wangaratta, where Ms Raven’s grandmother is buried.
The women will walk an average of 40 kilometres a day and, along the way, visit families who have lost loved ones to MND and speak to Lions clubs about the disease.
Ms Raven says her husband convinced her to walk.
“He said it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I would regret it if I didn’t take part. I’m proud to be able to do it to honour my nan.
“I know the first day is going to be fine because we will be running on adrenaline, but getting up the next day is going to be a challenge.”
Donate at everydayhero.com.au/walking-to-wangaratta-for-mnd
