Community
12 May, 2023
Record-breaking donation
A $100,000 cheque, presented to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute yesterday afternoon, marks the biggest milestone in the Gillin Boys Foundation’s three-year history.
The Gillin family, of Warrnambool, is well known across the district for the incredible work it has done to create Muscular Dystrophy awareness and raise much-needed funds for further research into the disease in the search for a cure.
From 2016 to February 2020 the Gilly family raised more than $150,000 which was shared between Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation and Muscular Dystrophy Australia.
With the inception of the Gillin Boys Foundation in 2020, the organisation has managed to donate a further $280,000 to assist with research and clinical trials.
“When Aaron and I decided to start raising money to find a cure for Muscular Dystrophy, we knew it wouldn’t help us,” Christopher said.
“We also lost our cousins Ben and Zach to the disease and wanted part of our legacy to be helping give other families like ours a fighting chance to be treated for the disease, or better yet, cured.”
Sadly Aaron passed away in 2017 at the age of 24, giving Christopher even further incentive to carry on raising awareness and funds.
Christopher, together with board chair Peter Headon and secretary Ellie Fitzgerald, welcomed Murdoch Children’s Research Institute scientists Chantal Coles and Peter Houweling to Warrnambool yesterday to make the presentation.
“We cannot be happier to be able to make this substantial contribution to this amazing research organisation, which is leading the way into helping find a cure for muscular dystrophy,” Christopher said.
“Aaron and I, along with our parents Ashley and Mandy, started this mission from humble beginnings back in 2016 by selling green shoelaces and stickers, and to be here to present $100,000 in one hit really does defy belief.”
Also at the presentation was Murdoch Children’s Research Institute philanthropy manager Katherine Gill and associate Rebecca Harford.
“Today is a special day for the Gillin Boys Foundation, and a day that not just the Gillin family should be proud of, but those who have donated money to our cause to find a cure for this insidious disease,” foundation chair Peter Headon said.
“To think that a family from Warrnambool has managed to contribute almost half a million dollars to research into Muscular Dystrophy in just over six years is astounding.”
Mr Headen said yesterday’s donation was made possible through the contributions and support of people living not only in the south west but also right across Australia.
“This donation is the result of the efforts and contributions made by those who have helped host fundraisers and have, themselves, donated to Chris and Aaron’s plight,” Mr Headen said.
“While the foundation has had the opportunity to provide this amount to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, it’s because of the generosity of our supporters that this has been made possible.”
Receiving the donation, philanthropy manager Katherine Gill said the money would go a long way towards helping find a cure for Muscular Dystrophy, in particular Duchenne.
“We have a core focus on all strains of Muscular Dystrophy, but the Duchenne strain is at the top of the priority list and it is fitting that Christopher, his family and the Gillin Boys Foundation made this contribution today as Duchenne is what has affected their family the most.
“It’s stories like theirs that inspire us every day to continue the work we are doing.”
The next major fundraising event will be the 2023 Gillin Boys Foundation telethon – a music event featuring local and nationally acclaimed artists on Friday June 23.
