Raffle raises $555,000 for motor neurone disease research
NTI has raised more than $555,000 for the fight against Motor Neurone Disease (MND) through a unique truck raffle during last weekend’s NTI Townsville 500.
The naming rights sponsor offered one person a chance to win a specially prepared 'Expedition Truck' with the winner drawn at the Reid Park Street Circuit.
The fundraising effort brought in a record $555,800, double the amount raised by last year’s raffle.
The specialist insurer will provide all funds raised to the MND and ME Foundation for research at The University of Queensland.
The hybrid truck is the fifth vehicle to be raffled for MND research by the transport and logistics specialist insurer, raising more than $1 million to accelerate research on the disease.
NTI CEO Tony Clark, who made the winning call to the New South Wales-based winner, was overcome by the amount of money raised.
“This vehicle is the first of its kind to be raffled by NTI and includes a truck plus a motorhome,” Clark said.
“We’d like to thank our suppliers for partnering with us on this initiative, we are overwhelmed by the response.
“All of our partners understood the importance of the funds this vehicle will help raise and made time despite being at capacity.
“NTI’s former CEO Wayne Patterson lost his battle with MND in 2015, and we have been committed to helping fund research to find a cure ever since.”
MND is a condition that affects the brain and nerves, causing weakness that worsens over time. Two people are diagnosed and two people die from MND every day in Australia. There is currently no cure or effective treatment for the disease.
MND and Me Foundation CEO Jane Milne said the funds were vital to assist with an upcoming medical trial to find a cure for the condition.
It comes as Supercars announced NTI will continue as the naming rights partner of Supercars’ Townsville event for at least two more years last week.
NTI backs Walkinshaw Andretti United, with naming rights on Nick Percat's #2 Mobil 1 NTI Racing Commodore.
Matt Stone Racing runs with primary backing through its sister brand Truck Assist.
The Repco Supercars Championship field will return to The Bend Motorsport Park for the OTR SuperSprint across July 29 – 31. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
