Neale Daniher’s FightMND crusade bolstered by record $40m donation
The low-profile Queensland couple behind a $40m donation to FightMND have broken their silence about their incredible gift, opening up on what inspired it and the simple hope they have for the charity.
The Queensland couple who donated a whopping $40m to Neale Daniher’s Fight MND charity have spoken of their hopes it will make a difference.
Earthworks and construction king Quentin Birt said he was moved to make a donation almost a third the size of FightMND’s total fundraising efforts over the past 12 years after being inspired by Daniher’s selfless dedication to trying to find a cure for the cruel disease.
“Oh he’s inspirational,” Mr Birt said of Daniher.
“He basically did what we all (should) do, we just don’t have the guts to do it.
“It’s that simple.’’
Quentin and Kylie Birt have made an extraordinary $40m donation. Picture: Supplied
Mr Birt told Sunrise the FightMND team, spearheaded by Daniher’s family, were “just wonderful” for the way they offered people suffering the disease and their families hope.
“It’s obviously a massive big family that you can’t help but you know you’re on the right track,’’ he said.
His wife Kylie said their hopes for what the $40m could do were simple: “Oh, find a cure.
“That’s what you hope,” she said.
“That’s all you can hope.’’
The Herald Sun on Monday revealed the identities of the generous donors behind the largest donation in the charity’s history.
FightMND chief executive Matt Tilley last week teased information about an unnamed duo who had donated “an incredible amount” after learning of Daniher’s death following a 13-year battle with MND.
The couple initially made the donation privately, wanting the focus of Monday’s Big Freeze at the ‘G to rightly be focused on Daniher.
But they were moved to make by far the greatest donation in the history of the FightMND charity set up after Daniher was diagnosed with the deadly disease 13 years ago because of his positive outlook in an increasingly negative world.
Quentin Birt was inspired to donate by Daniher’s brave and selfless quest. Picture: Supplied
The late Neale Daniher. Picture: Getty
It’s understood the couple initially pledged $10m but after arriving at the MCG and being overwhelmed by the groundswell of support for the cause and outpouring of love for Neale Daniher decided to quadruple their already massive donation.
The huge donation was made to FightMND generally and will not form part of the Big Freeze fundraising tally.
It’s almost twice the size of the previous record $20.1m Big Freeze fundraising tally set two years ago that is expected to be shattered this year.
It is not the first time Q H & M Birt director Quentin and his wife Kylie shared generously from the profits of their Brisbane-based earthmoving company.
They have given generously to FightMND before.
And earlier this year they stumped-up a whopping $57m to a charity linked to a
Central Australian football Club program.