When Christopher Gillin calls on favours from friends, he usually gets what he needs.
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Since 2016 when the Warrnambool man began campaigning for Muscular Dystrophy Awareness, he has raised over $50,000 with the help of friends.
So when the 27 year-old asked friend and Lady Bay Resort owner Peter ‘Cork’ Walsh if he could host a live music event at the venue, the answer was yes.
On Sunday Mr Gillin is presenting a fundraiser with live music, raffles, merchandise and food at the seaside venue from 2pm.
With the help of friends, he is hoping to add to his fundraising tally.
“We are hoping with admission, raffles and merchandise to raise maybe about $1000,” he said. “We’ll have our green laces for sale, MDA Warrnambool stickers and green loom bands.”
Mr Gillin said live music would be performed by a few local friends.
“The band is a local band called ‘4 Wide’ and they are a modern cover band playing lots of popular songs from old to present,” he said. “They consist of Alan Barnett, Tim Umney, Wade Northcott and Stephen Cope.”
Mr Gillin has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive muscle-wasting disease that has confined him to a wheelchair and in need of 24-hour care.
He lost his brother Aaron to the disorder that affects more than 20,000 Australians in October 2017.
Through his green laces campaign, stickers, loom bands and events, Mr Gillin has donated $50,000 to Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation and Muscular Dystrophy Australia.
“Even more importantly we have raised plenty of awareness for Muscular Dystrophy,” he said.
Neuromuscular disorders affect one in every 625 Australian men, women and children.
