Coronavirus cannot stop the mighty generosity of the Port Macquarie community as residents support local plumber Matt Adkins.
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An online fundraising auction has been launched to benefit the 39-year-old who earlier this year was diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease.
MND is a neurodegenerative disease that causes rapid and progressive muscle weakness impacting control of muscles used in moving, speaking, breathing and swallowing. Life expectancy can vary from person to person, usually between one and five years.
Businesses and residents have begun supporting the auction which runs from July 18 to August 8. A charity weekend of celebrations is at Moore Beer Brewery from August 7 to 9.
Sister-in-law Erika Gleeson is organising the event as Mr Adkin is supported through the illness by family including, wife Bianca and children Banjo, 10 and Frankie, 7 and many friends.
"We're here because in life some people get dealt rougher hands than others. We all have a responsibility to pitch in and do our part," said Miss Gleeson.
"It's events like this that really show our community spirit, so thank you in advance for all that you're able to give to the beautiful Adkins family, whom we know you all love and adore so much.
"We will host two fundraisers designed to assist with some future stability including mortgage, schooling and other boring but very essential and expensive life stuff.
"I've never quite seen a community banded together even close to Port Macquarie. It's times like this that the community really shines."
The Port Macquarie family man originally went to school in Port Macquarie before settling and starting his own plumbing business.
Family and friends were initially shocked by Mr Adkins' diagnosis at such a young age.
"Before the diagnosis there were just a couple of odd things happening to Matt like falling over and he had some strange sensations down one side of his arm. After a series of tests it came back that he had MND," she said.
"I think everyone experiences news like that differently. For me personally I was in denial because he's 39, he's one of the fittest and healthiest people I know. As time has gone on we have all gone through many different emotions.
"He is very much in a phase now where he is celebrating life with his family as much as possible. They had plans to go overseas for one last trip but that has been thwarted by COVID, they are now planning to travel locally."
You can support the Adkins family through donating services or items by emailing a photo, description and value to mattymakinglemonade@gmail.com
For more information about the event, CLICK HERE.
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