THE Fight MND fundraiser Daniher’s Drive will no longer visit Wallan today after organisers last night changed the route due to flooding concerns.
A 100-car convoy had been due to stop at Wallan’s Greenhill Recreation Reserve at 10.50 this morning as art of the first leg of the drive, which raises money and awareness to combat motor neurone disease, MND, in regional communities.
Daniher’s Drive organiser Bec Daniher, the daughter of Fight MND co-founder and former AFL coach and player Neale Daniher, said the decision was disappointing but necessary.
“Given the challenging weather conditions predicted for Thursday, we’ve had to make the tough decision to change the route of this year’s Daniher’s Drive,” she said.
“We’re incredibly disappointed that our Drive convoy won’t be able to visit the communities in Victoria’s north-east this year, but the safety of our Drive family remains our number one priority.
“We also wanted to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on emergency services in impacted areas.
“But as Neale says, we must play on and I have no doubt the Drive will be a celebration to remember as we rally together to raise awareness and funds for the fight against MND.”
In a post on the Fight MND website, organisers said it was no longer safe for participants to follow the original planned route to Myrtleford today.
“Unfortunately, the launch breakfast will not go ahead tomorrow as planned and we won’t be able to take our Drive convoy to Wallan, Euroa or Myrtleford,” the post said.
“At the moment, sections of the route remain closed or at risk of landslips and flooding, with high winds and rain forecast for Victoria’s north-east.
“Instead, we’ll be hosting an event in Melbourne on Thursday evening to bring our Drive family together. Details are being confirmed as we speak and we will notify you once a location has been finalised.”
