Residential
Explore
Ray White are major sponsors and passionate supporters of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in Western Australia, sponsoring one of the states biggest charity events, the MND Drive.
Now in its second year, the MND Drive was the inspiration of Loan Market’s State Director in Western Australia, Ken MacLennan.
“Over the years I’ve seen two people go through Motor Neurone Disease and I became very passionate about it. MND is like the opposite of Alzheimer's - you’re mind stays sharp while your body shuts down.
“Seeing what it does to people, I wanted to do something to help and I joined the Board of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Western Australia a few years ago.”
“As I got more involved and learned more about the disease I became adamant that we needed an event that wasn’t just about raising money, but also something that people with MND could participate in, and from there the MND Drive was born,” Ken explains.
This year 56 people participated, 16 cars drove 1600km over four days and more than $200,000 was raised to help care for people living with MND.
“The 2014 drive ran from 15 to 18 October. It started in Fremantle and finished in Esperance with overnight stops along the way.
“The destination is always a secret and we go to different places each year. Drivers know where the overnight stops are along the way, but have no idea where they’ll end up and it remains a closely guarded secret until the end.
“We design different routes each year that incorporates iconic Western Australian towns as well as those little known places off the beaten track.
“To participate, you pay $500 and you must raise at least $5,000. Both years that the event has run, we’ve raised over $200,000,” Ken explains.
Ray White WA CEO, Mark Whiteman, has been a supporter of MND for the past 13 years since the passing of his mother, Ann, who was diagnosed with MND. He not only participates in the event with his family, but is also a major sponsor of the event corporately.
“It has been the major fundraising event for the association and naturally, we are very passionate supporters” he said.
“Ray White were the major sponsors of the event. Many staff from both Ray White and Loan Market were volunteers. It’s a great event and one we are proud to be so closely involved in,” Mark explains.
Ray White are proud supporters of MND not only supporting the MND Drive but also encouraging more than a few people to take on the ice bucket challenge including Loan Market’s chairman, Sam White.
