OPTUS GRANTS E-READERS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE IN VICTORIA

The Motor Neurone Disease Association of Victoria (MNDAV) will celebrate its inaugural communication project this Monday 6 May, thanks to $8,000 in funding from the ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program.

MNDAV is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting people living with motor neurone disease (MND) through providing care and assistance to them and their families, while also conducting research and raising public awareness of the disease.

The grant from Optus helped fund research to identify appropriate e-readers for particular access needs and provided them to a number of people living with MND, helping reduce their feelings of social isolation and offer a better quality of life. A number of these devices have been made available to Victorians living with MND for them to continue to enjoy books, the internet and other entertainment, even as their disease progresses.

Rod Harris, Chief Executive Officer of the MNDAV, said, “People who live with motor neurone disease are at risk of social isolation as their physical disabilities reduce their ability to participate in community activities. Thanks to the ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program, we’re able to help these individuals maintain their connection with the outside world.”

Helen Maisano, Associate Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Optus, said, “The team at Motor Neurone Disease Association Victoria works relentlessly to ensure Victorians living with MND don’t feel isolated from the community and Optus is pleased the grant provided will help them in their journey.”

The annual ‘yes’ Optus Communities Grants program awards funding of up to $10,000 to not-for-profit organisations that help build social inclusion in communities. Since 2008, Optus has awarded $880,000 in grants to 165 community organisations across Australia.

Rod Harris and others involved in this project will be at the Association this Monday to discuss aspects of the project and its progress.

MEDIA EVENT:
WHEN: Monday, 6 May, 10:30-11:30am
WHERE: Motor Neurone Disease Association of Victoria, 265 Canterbury Road Canterbury, Victoria
WHY: Discuss the objectives of the project and how it will help people living with MND
ATTENDING: Rod Harris, CEO of MNDA, Orla Foster who led the project, Julie McConnell, Family Support Services Manager and Thai Cheah, Optus

About Optus in the Community: For more information on the ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program please visit www.optus.com.au/shop/aboutoptus/communitygrants.

Media contact:
Julia Clarke
Fuel Communications
(02) 8217 6505