An art exhibition and auction at the Toowoomba offices of leading legal firm Creevey Russell Lawyers has raised more than $7,000 to help in the battle against deadly motor neurone disease (MND).
MND is a progressive, terminal neurological disease which affects the nerve cells (neurones) controlling the muscles that enable us to move, speak, breathe and swallow, causing them to degenerate and die. A person’s senses and intellect are not affected.
Creevey Russell Principal Dan Creevey said the exhibition of paintings by leading Toowoomba-based artist Allan Cooney on Friday, October 26, was hugely successful in raising money and awareness in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association Queensland.
“MND Queensland do a fantastic job helping clients and their loved ones navigate the challenges of this terrible disease and it was an honour for our firm to support and raise much needed funds for them,” Mr Creevey said.
“We were delighted to have MND Queensland CEO Lisa Rayner speak at the event and she outlined the invaluable services to MND sufferers that her organisation provides.
“Fundraising is critical to MND Queensland’s ability to provide the support and services that people living with MND deserve. They currently only receive 7% of their income from the Government, and this will cease in mid-2019. They need certainly our support.”
Mr Creevey said among the works sold at auction was a portrait of Grammy award winning English singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse, who died in 2011 aged just 27.
“It was a fantastic gesture by Allan Cooney to offer the paintings for this worthwhile cause,” he said.