Westside is continuing its support of the MND and Me Foundation through a $5,000 donation to assist with its research base.  Motor neuron disease (MND) remains a cause close to our hearts, as we lost our colleague Gavin Webb to MND in August last year.

Gavin was very much a part of the Westside family, and Westside remains in touch with his partner Rebecca, who recently joined us for a cheque giving at the Westside offices.

Throughout his illness, Gavin supported others living with MND, and was a prolific fundraiser for MND research, giving hope and inspiration to others for both today and the future.

Westside CEO Matt Wallach presented the donation to MND and Me CEO Jane Milne, acknowledging how proud we were of Gavin, both as our fellow colleague and prolific fundraiser for MND.

“Gavin went to great lengths to fundraise and support others living with MND, to the point where he and our Westside Chair Mike Hughes, jumped and swung bungie style off the Goodwill bridge,” said Mr Wallach.

“Gavin gave hope and inspiration to others for both today and the future.

“He made the disease very real for us and remained very much connected, often emailing through responses to technical questions long after he was unable to come into the office,” he said.

MND and Me CEO Jane Milne said the donation would go towards the relocation of an important research hub in Queensland.

“Our research base was most recently housed within a Brisbane hospital and the researchers could no longer access their rooms due to COVID restrictions.

“These funds will go towards the equipment and refurbishment of the relocated research base at UQ.”

“Researchers are working hard to understand the genetic make-up of those with MND.

“There are currently 9 research trials happening in Queensland and we are so pleased that this donation will go towards helping them continue.

“There is not yet a cure for MND and we believe this research is paving the way to improve longevity and quality of life for people living with MND,” said Ms Milne.

“We trust this donation will help to support others who are diagnosed with MND with the hope that one day a cure will be found for this disease,” said Mr Wallach.

Gavin Webb Award

Westside created the Gavin Webb Award in his honour.  Each year a new recipient is recognised with their name engraved on the plaque, which continues to take pride of place at the Westside Brisbane offices.

Image: L-R Westside CEO Matt Wallach, Westside COO Simon Mewing, MND and Me CEO Jane Milne, and Rebecca Collins at the cheque giving.