Two Waterford residents’ undying efforts to raise money for a multiple sclerosis (MS) cure are rewarded as they hit a major milestone, but they say they’re not doing it for the praise.
Since 2013 Charlie Bennett and his wife, Jenny, who was diagnosed with MS at 15, have raised more than $400,000.
They’ve raised through sausage sizzles, raffles, and mowing lawns.
“That’s a lot of sausages and cake sales over the years,” Mrs Bennett said.
“Probably not so good for people’s cholesterol.”
Last Wednesday 30 May, the couple raised over $2000 at a community event, and on Sunday 11 June, Mr Bennett will participate in the 50-kilometre MS Brissie to the Bay bike ride.
They began fundraising in 2013 after the “debilitating” disease forced Mrs Bennett into retirement; Mr Bennett retired around the same time to become his wife’s full-time carer.
Three months ago, after a decade of fundraising, Mr Bennett was named the Fundraising Institute of Australia’s Volunteer of the Year.
“When we went down to Melbourne for the [Fundraising Institute of Australia] awards, we just thought we were there for a nice dinner,” Mr Bennett said.
“Towards the end of the ceremony, they read out my name as the winner and I cried my eyes out – it was something else.”
Mrs Bennett said her husband was “very emotional about it all but very happy at the same time”.
“We’re just these people from Logan City that no one’s ever heard of and here we are down in Melbourne, rubbing shoulders with people that do amazing work,” she said.
She said her diagnosis was initially difficult to come to terms with, especially at such a young age, but fortunately she had amazing people around her.
“The people of Logan have been marvellous to us,” Mrs Bennet said.
“I mean, we’ve lived here for 45 years, so we know a lot of people around the area and they’re always so generous with their time.
“It’s a great place to live.”
Mr Bennett said they’d had an “absolute ball over the years” and had met some of “the most beautiful people that just want to help and donate”.
“You don’t do these things to get a pat on the back, but it’s nice to know there are other people that appreciate the things you’re trying to do,” he said.
Mr Bennett is currently preparing for his Brissie to the Bay race, and has raised over $30 thousand.
To support him, head to https://www.brissietothebay.com.au/fundraisers/charliebennett/brissie-to-the-bay.
