Community
15 March, 2024
Gillin Foundation donates another $100,000
THE Gillin Boys Foundation has donated another $100,000 to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
The presentation – the second $100,000 to be donated in the past 12 months – was made during last Saturday night’s aptly named ‘Green Night’ at the Simpson Speedway.
The volunteer-based organisation (now in its fourth year) has been working extremely hard to bring awareness of muscular dystrophy to the forefront in the local community and beyond, as well as raising much needed funds towards research, clinical trials, and treatments for muscular dystrophy.
This most recent donation brings the total raised, since 2016, to close to $500,000.
Gillin Boys Foundation chairperson Daniel O’Keefe, vice-chairperson Jessica Nolte and committee member Ashley Gillin welcomed Murdoch Children’s Research Institute scientists Chantal Coles and Peter Houweling to Simpson Speedway last weekend to make the presentation.
“We love hearing about the progress of their trials and how they are slowly but surely finding more answers to many questions,” Ms Nolte said.
“We understand the funds support many of their trials and projects including an innovative blood bank, and some funds also go towards supporting extra resources in student scholarships in their PHD studies, ultimately helping the lab in their research.”
The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute maintains regular contact with the Gillin Boys Foundation, inspiring its members to continue their work in raising awareness within the Warrnambool community.
“Chantal and Peter attended Green Night in what was, in their minds, a show of support for our foundation,” chairperson Daniel O’Keefe said.
“They were completely blown away when I announced another $100,000 was coming their way.”
It had only been eight months since the last large donation was made to the institute.
“What a surprise to be presented with another generous donation from the Gillin Boys Foundation,” senior research scientist (muscle research) Dr Chantal Coles said.
“This is an incredible achievement by Chris and the Gillin Boys Foundation; they have an amazing community around them and we thank the foundation for choosing our team to help in the fight against Duchenne - we are determined with your help to make a difference.”
Foundation co-founder Christopher Gillin said he was extremely excited to be able to make another substantial contribution to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
“It’s very exciting to make this donation; the institute is leading the way into helping find a cure for muscular dystrophy,” Christopher said.
“My late brother Aaron and I, along with our parents Ashley and Mandy started fundraising from humble beginnings back in 2016 by selling green shoelaces and stickers with the goal of making a difference by bringing awareness to the disease we both suffer from and raising much needed funds to help find a cure.
“To be able to present another $100,000 within 12 months is fantastic. These achievements for the foundation don’t occur without the fantastic support we receive from the local community and beyond, so on behalf of the foundation I’d like to say a big thank you to every single person that has made a contribution large or small to our Fight For A Cure; every dollar raised moves us closer to a world without Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy”.
The next major fundraising event for the Gillin Boys Foundation will be the 2024 Cassign Cup on Friday April 5 and 6.
Hampden Football Netball League clubs Warrnambool and Koroit will battle it out, with the cup awarded to the club that wins the most games on the day.
