About Us

Mike

6 or so years ago I was diagnosed with MS. At the time, it is a pretty difficult thing to cope with: the symptoms, the uncertainty - both short term and long term, the psychological impact. You know you have no control over this disease. But then you meet some other people with MS (PwMS) plus those who have had loved ones affected by MS and together you realise that you can fight back, you can take some control. And the way you do it is to raise awareness and raise funds for research into finding a cure. Yes, a cure - that's what we are after and we will accept nothing less. We are not prepared to lie back and wait for it, we are going to make it happen. Thus, Foundation 5 Million (F5m) was born, the brain child of the late Ian Ballard. In his memory and for our own futures, and those of all the others with the disease and who will be diagnosed, we, with our families and friends, continue to strive for the ultimate goal - a world free of MS. This is what drives us to organise events such as the Mudgee2Sydney Walk for MS research. And I hope you will join us in our quest. See you on the road!
To support me on our journey, please click here.

Katrina

Hi, I’m Mike’s wife. Like Mike, I also have an auto immune disease with Type 1 diabetes. I need to eat sensibly and keep active regularly to maintain good Blood Glucose levels. It’s a fine balancing act most of the time but fortunately it is manageable and I am healthy, unlike the myriad of unpleasant symptoms that can befall people who live with MS every day. So while Mike requires rest to build his energy reserves I require the exact opposite. I can’t think of a better way of combining our interests to find a cure for this debilitating disease than have me and my girlfriend, Elizabeth, walk all the way from Mudgee2Sydney with Mike and others assisting us in a support capacity. We welcome any other enthusiastic walkers who may wish to join us for part or the whole journey as we walk towards a world free of MS. 
To support me on our Walk, please click here.

Liz

Hi my name is Liz and I am a friend of Katrina and Mike. I am a single mum and lead a busy lifestyle with my children and work. I have coeliac disease and have a diet restriction for life.

The three of us all have a passion for helping others, and this is where the fundraising is the happening thing. As a nurse, I see the results of the debilitating disease of Multiple Sclerosis, and would love to see a cure very soon. I also see the everyday struggle that this family go through, and wish I could do so much more. If our efforts can help MSRA get one step closer to a cure, then we are in! The support from our friends, family and community is amazing. And this is what keeps us motivated to reach yet another goal.

I am excited to be able to walk the Mudgee2Sydney Walk for MS research  and would love lots of people to join us. Let's all get involved.

To support me on our Walk, please click here.