WITH little funding available locally to support sufferers of muscular dystrophy, Rob Oakley is organising a fundraising dinner to help make a difference.

Rob suffers from a form of MD that attacks certain muscle groups and was diagnosed with the disease in his early 20s.

“As a kid I was never very muscular, I was a bit smaller and weedy in my teens,” Rob says.

In its third year, the dinner will be held at the Deakin Football Club and Rob hopes to raise $10,000 to buy equipment that can help MD sufferers.

“Muscular dystrophy in the ACT has a small support group with a large community to support,” he says. “Funding is typically difficult to obtain and I hold this dinner annually to assist in this cause.”

This year, Jake White, coach of the Brumbies and World Cup winner, is the guest speaker at the dinner on Friday, February 17.
“It is an opportunity to get up close and personal to Jake White on the eve of the Brumbies season,” says Rob.

“The theme of the dinner each year is sport based and aims to inspire young people with MD, and in general, to identify their goals and pursue them. I am constantly trying to demonstrate this by example.”

Rob is a para-equestrian and a member of the National Para-Equestrian Dressage Squad, and hopes to compete in the London Paralympics this year.

Together with attempting to compete in the London Paralympics,  Rob is training towards his long-term goal of participating in the

Tour Duchenne, a national, long-distance cycle ride to support and raise awareness of Duchennes MD, which is the most common and most severe form of MD, primarily affecting young boys.

“It creates a tremendous burden on families and can greatly shorten the life of the sufferer,” says Rob.

In addition, he has rediscovered a passion for waterskiing using a sit ski (having at one time been a good stand-up skier).  As part of his equestrian efforts, he is also a scholarship holder at the ACT Academy of Sports.

Rob’s horse Peaceful Warrior, was purchased in Holland.

“It was a case of having found the right horse and worry about the cost later. He is every bit as good as any open dressage horse and it just demonstrates the high standard of dressage in the Para-Equestrian world,” says Rob.

The evening will also include door prizes and raffles, including a mountain bike and a Qantas travel voucher, and an auction of sporting memorabilia, including a signed Wallaby jersey.

ACT Muscular Dystrophy is a small volunteer organisation which provides support for families and individuals affected by muscular dystrophy in the ACT and surrounding districts. It is a non profit organisation totally reliant on funds raised by its members and through donations. This dinner is a major source of funds for this work in the ACT.

To donate prizes for the fundraising dinner or purchase tickets, phone Rob Oakley on 0429 382 502.