Restored 1950s Chevy pick-up to be raffled for Motor Neurone Disease research to appear for the first time at this week’s 2023 Brisbane Truck Show
A 1954 Chevrolet pick-up truck, first spotted on a farm in the US and brought to Australia, is the latest vehicle to be restored and raffled to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease research.
The truck will appear to the Queensland public for the first time this week at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show, with the raffle being drawn at the NTI Supercars Round in Townsville in July.
The truck, named Daphne, is the sixth to be raffled for MND and Me Foundation by Australia’s largest transport and logistics specialist insurer, NTI. NTI has raised more than $1.5 million over five years for MND research.
MND & ME CEO Jan Milne says the ongoing support via NTI’s official research grant has provided a consistent funding stream for the cause.
“The funds raised go directly to MND researchers here in Queensland. The consistent funding stream means researchers can continue to focus more on their work and less on securing funding,” Milne says.
Dr John Lee from the University of Queensland’s School of Biomedical Sciences expresses how vital the fundraiser is to continuing their research.
“The goal of our research is to find a drug that can dampen the immune cell responses to slow down the motor neurone degeneration that we are seeing in MND patients. Without the support from NTI and all of the other organisations, this kind of research would not even be possible,” he says.
NTI CEO Tony Clark adds the cause is very close to home for the organisation, and its genuine passion that drives the project, year after year.
“Our commitment to raising funds for MND research comes after our former CEO Wayne Patterson lost his battle with the disease in 2018. We established the official NTI MND Research Grant to help fund research into treatment and ultimately find a cure,” he says.
The vintage pick-up truck is painted in a striking ‘hot lava orange’ colour and has a 460hp LT1 Chevrolet Performance engine, equipped with modern features.
“Our Expedition Truck last year was all about a sense of adventure and heading off-road. This year, we want to celebrate the amazing lifestyle we have on offer here in Queensland, kicking back by the beach,” Clark says.
NTI’s Special Projects Lead, Don Geer, who has overseen all of NTI’s restorations, says this year’s project has been made possible by generous donations and the partnership with GM Australia and NZ, and Matt Stone Racing.
“It’s been a tremendous team effort, once again from everyone involved. Our partners have gone above and beyond to meet timeframes and deliver an exceptional, one-of-a-kind truck for one lucky person,” he says.
Tickets for the raffle and the terms and conditions can be found here.
