The Gillin Brothers Foundation launched to raise awareness, funds for muscular dystrophy

But then again, not many people are like Chris Gillin.

When the Warrnambool football and motor sport tragic blows out the candles on his 29^th birthday cake next month, he will also be cutting the ribbon for his brand new charity aimed at finding a cure for muscular dystrophy.

The Gillin Boys Foundation is named after Chris and his beloved late brother Aaron. Its aim is to find a cure for the disease that's afflicted the two brothers.

"It's a really good feeling, it's something we've been working on for a while and now we're ready to launch," Chris Gillin said.

"We want to raise as much money as we can to find a cure as there's no cure yet, and that's where we need people to get involved and to help.

"Aaron would be really proud that we have a foundation, he was a big part of the push to raise money back when we started in 2016."

The Gillin Boys Foundation will be officially launched on February 17 at Warrnambool's Lady Bay Resort and will tie in with Chris' 29^th birthday.

"To get to 29 is a pretty big part of the night, not many people with muscular dystrophy get to this milestone," he said.

"I'm looking forward to finally opening the foundation."

In the lead-up to the launch night, Chris has set up an online fundraiser ahead of the region's famous Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic, auctioning off a framed pair of James McFadden's gloves and a sprintcar ride.

Foundation chairman David Cassidy said the charity was about continuing the legacy of the Gillin boys.

"We want the legacy of Aaron and Chris to live on for years to come," he said.

"Our tagline is a quote from Chris which says: The more funds we raise, the quicker the cure.

"The Gillin family won't get any money at all, it will all go to organisations like Muscular Dystrophy Australia, they just want to help other people.

"Last September Chris got pretty sick and things weren't looking good for him but he's still pushing on, he really is amazing and an inspiration."

Chris said his brother Aaron, who passed away in 2017, would be proud to see the advocacy in the local community today.

It was the dynamic duo who came up with the green laces initiative which has seen multiple sporting icons and teams across the region don bright green laces to support muscular dystrophy awareness.

This weekend, 21 Seahawks teams will be proudly wearing the green laces at their Bendigo tournament.

Gillin Boys Foundation treasurer Blessing Furusa said it was about getting the message out there.

"It originally started as one team and now all 21 teams will be wearing the shoelaces to raise awareness for muscular dystrophy and to acknowledge Chris' resilience," he said.

"He is such an inspirational individual, to see how he battles through his health scares, how he fights back, he is just amazing.

"He goes about his life with a strong spirit and a smile."

For more information on the foundation launch, head to Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Warrnambool.

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