In Mark's Memory

By Michelle Rawlins

Help me support MND NSW

Motor Neurone Disease – NEVER GIVE UP!

For all those who have suffered, let's find a CURE.  My husband was one who suffered a horrific death and his family could only standby and watch this lovely, kind and gentle soul suffer this terminal disease.

This is in memory of a kind and gentle man – husband, father and friend.  Mark Rawlins.  Mark only had one wish – Please let me stay at home. 

Along with my family I will be participating in  “The Otago Bike Trail in October 2022 to raise money for MND.  I am 51 and let’s face it not in the best shape of my life, but I felt it was my call to do something big to help.  So I  hired an exercise bike and I am determined to ride it every day to increase my fitness before the Trail, along with road bike rides with my family to get the full effect.

Mark was diagnosed with MND in June 2020.  Our family looked after him at home, attending to all his needs.  His eldest son, who was 19 had to step up and be his main carer, shower, toilet, dress, feed and lift him from one place to another.  A very sad thing for a young man to have to watch while is father deteriorated.

Mark also has another younger son, who has special needs and attends a school some 30 kms away from his home.  This means he needs to be taken and picked up by a family member every day.  Something that became very difficult to juggle.

My eldest son’s girlfriend, who lived with us also attended to Mark with a gentle and kind heart.

I still had to work which was extremely difficult not only for the lack of sleep but the fact that I couldn’t spend as much time with my husband of over 30 years.

By January 2021 Mark was totally dependant on others for everything.  He could no longer eat or drink and was fed through a stomach tube and unable to communicate, except for blinking.

I then had to organise through multiple agencies for Mark to have 24hour care at home.

I kept my promise.  Mark passed away in a hospital bed in his lounge room in July 2021 surrounded by his loving family.

Please help the Rawlins family raise money to bring awareness to MND and support other families going through this   incurable disease..  LETS NEVER GIVE UP!

My Achievements

Updated Profile Pic

My Updates

MND

Sunday 3rd Apr

I am taking on the Otago Rail Trail Challenge - spending 6 days cycling 150km along the Otago Rail Trail in New Zealand to raise much-needed funds for people living with motor neurone disease. 

There is currently no cure for motor neurone disease (MND), however research has shown some interventions can help people diagnosed with MND to live more comfortably. People who have been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) face a multitude of losses during the progression of this incurable and fatal disease. Loss of the ability to move independently or to communicate with people can be minimised through the use of specialised pieces of equipment. Equipment loaned by MND NSW not only improves the quality of life for people with MND but also the quality of life for their carers.

By donating to my challenge to take on the Otago Rail Trail Challenge 2022, you can help MND NSW raise
vital funds to provide essential services, equipment and support for people living with motor neurone disease in NSW, the ACT and NT.

Your support is vital, so MND NSW can continue to be there for people living with motor neurone disease at every stage of their MND journey.

Thank you to my Sponsors

$52.75

Marie Campbell

Always Remembered love Mum C💙xx

$25

Sharon Campbell

Hi mark thinking of you in 2023 love Sharon🧸

$52.75

Marie Campbell

Mark thinking of you always love Mum C 💙

$50

Gwen Skeers

Love auntie Gwen and uncle John. Xx

$105.50

Michelle Price

Good luck Michelle and family A wonderful way to celebrate your Mark. Xxxx

$100

Anonymous

$52.75

Michelle Rosier

All the best with the ride 💙

$20

Fran Cascioli

All the best. xx

$25

Michelle Rawlins

$50

Michele Scott

$52.75

Larissa & Stephen

$52.75

Sharyn, Todd, Luke

Make sure to enjoy the scenery.

$52.75

Danielle Atkins

Michelle - sending loads of love to you & your boys. XX

$52.75

Donna Namdaran Reynolds

You are an amazing person Michelle. It’s such a wonderful thing you are doing in Marks memory. I hope you all have a lot of fun.

$211

Beth Riley

Go, Michelle and team. Hope you all have a lot of fun and giggles. It’s such a positive way to remember Mark. Love to all.

$52.75

Deb & Geoff, Woronora

$52.75

Mum

To Michelle my thoughts are with you all the way on this bike ride lots of love mun xx💕🌷🚴‍♀️

$50

Marie & Friends

$26.38

Sharon Campbell

Good luck Michelle have lots of fun yes fun love shaz🫠🤘🫀

$50

Karen And Steve

All the very best on your bike ride. xx

$50

Mccoy Family

All the very best.

$100

Sue Barling

What a wonderful cause. All the best. xx

$100

Nolene Aked

Good luck on your ride. xx

$26.38

Betty Wright

All the best, love Betty xx

$25

Suzanne White

To Michelle and family, with best wishes for your journey in the Otago Bike Trail Challenge. from Suzanne.

$52.75

Phil And Rhonda Naylor

$100

Tam,cam, Sienna And Carter Xxx

I think your amazing xx You’ve got this!

$10

Nicole Newman

$208.80

Karen Woodrick

I’m supporting research into MND as I have watched friends’ family members suffer immensely through this horrific disease and hope my donation can support Michelle & her family in their endeavour to raise funds to eradicate this disease, after the loss of Mark. I too understand how overwhelming such a loss is. Sending compassion to you.

$50

Diana Hogan

My heart goes out to you and your family.

$100

Glenn And Lisa Stephens

You're a wonderful and caring son, Jarrad. Your father was very blessed to have you care for him. Enjoy the ride (let your mum and Luke ride electric!!).

$208.80

Glenn And Lisa Stephens

You're an inspiration of kindness and resilience, Michelle. Go for the electric bike!

$50

Jenni Kirillov

What a wonderful thing you are doing to help others who are suffering with MND and to honour Mark's memory. Mark will be watching over you all the way and be so proud of you. xx

$30

Susan Gray

$10.44

Jacqui Bickerstaff

In memory of mark

$20.88

Norma & Doug Emery

Michelle we are so proud of you and the boys for riding in Mark's memory to raise money for for research and hopefully a cure for MND such a cruel condition. Go with our love to push you up the hills make sure to take the time to enjoy the scenery on the way down.

$52.20

Kristy Fyfe

All the best Michelle! What an achievement l! You should be so proud of yourself! x

$104.40

Monique Dileo

So proud of you xx

$104.40

Monica Kemp

What a wonderful thing to do to honour Mark’s memory. Hope the ride goes well. Good luck

$52.20

Julie Townsend

You are such a brave strong caring woman Michelle. Sending love & prayers as you & your wonderful sons embark on this trek in memory of Mark 💞xx

$208.80

Julia Catt

What an awesome thing you & yr family are doing for Mark & others suffering from this horrendous disease. So proud of you all for doing this adventure ❤️ 💗 💖

$52.20

Kath Tanner

Good luck with the ride Michelle. In memory of Mark xo

$52.20

Sonya Boman

So proud of you ❤️

$208.80

Beth Riley

$104.40

O’loughlin Family

So touched by your story. You are stronger than you know. ♥️

$104.40

Sandra Mihopoulos

What a wonderful thing to do for Mark, and others. He would be so proud. Sending lots of love to you and the boys xxxx

$104.40

Michelle Paulus

To our beloved neighbours! It is without saying that we will support you in any way that we can. Love you all xxx

$104.40

Anonymous

$50

Rhonda Macbeth

Donated to help you on your way. Safe travels and have a great trip

$52.20

Janelle Schultz

Mark would be so proud of you, as we all are , you are setting a great example especially to Jarrod and Luke, all the best for a safe journey xx🥰

$26.10

Tracy Garry

So proud of you Michelle and the boys 💙

$52.20

Julie Way

$26.10

Diane Robins

So proud of you xx

$73.08

Susan Gurnhill

$26.10

B Hardy

Sending you love and light xxx

$26.10

Linda Honey

$100

Ellyn And Daniel

You can do it!

$20.88

Anonymous

What a great way to honour your hubby.

$52.20

Lauren

You got this ♥️