Sunbury locals are taking the plunge to raise funds in memory of one of their own.
Mate’s Crew are hosting a Dunk a Mate FightMND fundraiser in Sunbury, to raise money for the charity after the loss of Geoff ‘Mate’ Smalley.
Mate was a community stalwart in the Sunbury and Macedon Ranges for over 40 years, who died after losing the fight with Motor Neurone Disease.
Running the Gisborne South Swimming Centre alongside his wife Lorraine and working as a teacher at Sunbury College, Mate was a pillar of both communities in his long career.
His daughter, Brooke Smalley who is part of Mate’s Crew alongside Lorraine, recalls those last few moments with her father, and how quickly MND took him.
“In 2019 we saw signs of changes with dad and it was through the awareness of Neil Daniher and his story and his battle with MND that mum recognised some signs with dad,” she said.
In 2020, he was diagnosed with the disease, and after a 15-month battle, he died in February 2022.
“One of mum and dad’s dreams when they retired was to hit the road and drive places,” Brooke said.
“I had known about Daniher’s Drive and I wasn’t ready soon after dad had passed but this year it just called me and I knew this year was the right year to get involved.”
Brooke is aiming to raise $10,000 ahead of Daniher’s Drive this October by holding a number of community events.
In Sunbury on Friday, June 27, from 11am to 2pm, the community will come together to dunk local legends like Sunbury MP Josh Bull, One Agency’s Adrian Sacco, Country Care’s Sean Redmond and Ben Colquhoun as well as Brooke herself.
Held at Country Care Group in Sunbury, expect a sausage sizzle, themed baked treats and merch available.
Brooke said the support she has received has been overwhelming.
“We’ve had some incredibly generous donations from friends, family and local businesses who have had connections with us over the years, even local footy clubs getting behind us,” she said.
“It’s really humbling to know everyone rallies when you need it.”
To donate to Mate’s Crew, go to support.fightmnd.org.au/fundraisers/matescrew
