Established in 2014 by Daniher, Dr Ian Davis and Pat Cunningham,  FightMND raises awareness through fundraisers with the intention of finding effective treatments, and a cure, for Motor Neurone Disease.

Since being diagnosed with the debilitating illness, Daniher has worked with the board of FightMND to come up with a number of fundraisers. He told The Advocate a car rally provided the perfect way to connect with and support the communities which had so generously donated towards the cause. 

This year, Daniher’s Drive saw 200 vehicles drive through Western Victoria over four days to raise a whopping $2.5 million. 

Daniher said the drive raised awareness of the disease in the country, while the Big Freeze was a city event. 

“With my family background being from the country, the regional areas of Australia are so very important to me and I know what an event like this passing through townships means to those people and their towns - it means the world to them,” he said. 

On why he chose to run the event through Daylesford, Daniher said it was critically important for him to ensure he was giving something back to the communities that had supported FightMND.

“We want to help their local economies too. Throughout the journey, we see our blue polos scattered through local pubs, shops and cafes, spending money in the local community. Many communities conduct their own fundraising events and present cheques to us which is equally as important to them as it is us,” he said. 

Daniher said he chose The Convent Gallery as one of the places for the assortment of drivers and their vehicles to stop off at for lunch.

“I have been there [before]. It was superb and a perfect venue for our lunchtime requirements on the drive. We were blessed with great weather so it allowed people to enjoy the magnificence of it both indoors and out. It really is the jewel in the Daylesford crown.”

Daniher said he felt “very humbled” to see so many people walking the streets sporting FightMND gear.

“[I am] also incredibly proud of the enormous work our small administration team put in all year to plan for the events we stage. We want to be recognised because by being recognised in the community, we grow awareness and as a result, raise more funds to commit to research,” he said.

“The beanies are a badge of honour now and we are incredibly proud people wear them almost 12 months of the year. The cars on caught everyone's attention along country highways and through the main street of towns, with all the logos strong and bold on the side of them.”