In February 2024, our world changed forever when Dad sat us down and gave us the devastating news that he was diagnosed with Bulbar Onset Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

A cruel, terminal illness with no cure, the absolute BEAST.

Since that day, life has become a battle we never expected to fight. A battle against time. A battle against the progression. A battle to hold onto the moments, memories and milestones that people take for granted.

Over the past two years, our family has done everything possible to give Dad every chance, and to try and slow this beast down. To date more than $70,000 has been spent on treatments and medication that was aimed at slowing the progression of this horrific disease. This included multiple trips to Japan, flights, accommodation etc.

Sadly MND doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed. It impacts the entire family.

For the past 15 years, Mum and Dad have worked side by side building and running our family boat hire business. It has been their livelihood, their passion, and the result of countless hours of hard work and sacrifice.

Today, Dad is no longer physically able to help Mum the way he once did.

Mum now finds herself carrying the weight of the business largely on her own, while also caring for Dad as his condition continues to progress. She is everything to everyone and never EVER EVER complains. The reality is that no one should have to carry that weight alone.

We’ve all watched incredible Australians bring awareness to this disease in recent times. We’ve seen families forced to face the unimaginable, we just never thought we would be one of them.

Funds raised will go towards:

• Covering the cost of additional support to keep Mum and Dad’s family business running, allowing Mum to step back from the day to day operations and spend precious time with Dad as his condition progresses.

• Ease the financial pressure of running a business, maintaining a mortgage, covering bills and managing everyday living expenses during this incredibly difficult time in their lives.

• Give our family the opportunity to create meaningful memories together while we still can. The simple moments, the little things that become priceless, When time is no longer something you can take for granted. Little family vacays, maybe a trip in a caravan, just moments we will cherish forever!

• Fulfilling dads dream of restoring his Trans-am

More than anything we just want time together, free from the constant stress and worry that comes with running a small family business while also staring down the beast that is MND.

Reaching out like this is not easy.

Dad has always been the first person to put his hand up when someone needed help. Anyone who knows him knows the kind of man he is — generous, hardworking, selfless, and has always been the first to help others throughout his life without expecting anything in return.

Now it’s my time to help him, and Mum.

If you’re able to contribute, no matter how small, it would mean the world to us. If you’re not in a position to donate, a simple share of this post would mean just as much.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, your support, and for standing beside us during the hardest chapter of our lives.

We will never stop fighting for you, Dad.

Kia Kaha — Forever Strong ❤️

With love,

Eleia & Keenan x