Bunnings and MND NZ fire up national sausage sizzle to support Kiwis living with motor neurone disease

Bunnings stores across New Zealand will be firing up the barbecues this June, inviting Kiwis to enjoy a weekend snag in support of Motor Neurone Disease New Zealand (MND NZ).

Held as part of MND Action Month, the national fundraising BBQ will see Bunnings team members and volunteers roll up their sleeves together to help raise vital funds for people living with motor neurone disease (MND) and their whānau across Aotearoa.

Every week two Kiwis die from MND and two more receive the news they have this incurable, fatal disease. Funds raised through the BBQ will go directly towards MND NZ to help grow their support services, expand information and advocacy, and drive essential research.

Helen Casey-MacDuff knows first-hand the devastating impact of motor neurone disease. In November 2021, her family’s busy life stopped in its tracks when her late husband Myles was diagnosed with MND, aged 45.

Myles was a self-employed builder and former high-level rugby player while Helen was running a high school art department – their children were just 10 and 12 years old. Myles sadly died with the disease two and a half years later.

“It was rough, we were shocked – just stunned,” says Casey-MacDuff.

Myles had been experiencing a string of unexplained symptoms including involuntary muscle twitches and not being able to playfight with his kids as his grip had gone. He’d gone from single-handedly lifting a structural beam into place, to struggling to carry a fence post at work.

“We were walking on a gravel road, he slipped and couldn’t stop himself. He hit the ground hard and hurt his neck. I remember thinking, ‘wow, there is something seriously wrong’ because he couldn’t even put his hands out in time,” recalls Casey-MacDuff.

“Fundraising efforts like the Bunnings BBQ means families going through this experience can access the support, understanding and advocacy they desperately need from MND NZ — and that truly changes lives.”

Mark Leggett, Chief Executive of MND NZ, says community-led fundraising plays a crucial role in ensuring people affected by MND are not facing the disease alone.

“June marks MND Action Month in Aotearoa, a time to bring this disease into sharper national focus. It’s about taking action, creating awareness, and rallying support. Motor neurone disease is debilitating and progressive. It gradually strips away a person’s ability to walk, talk, eat — and eventually, to breathe.”

“For those diagnosed and their families, the impact is profound and far-reaching. While research continues, there is still no cure, which is why every dollar raised and conversation started through partnerships like Bunnings is so important,” said Leggett.

Melissa Haines, General Manager at Bunnings New Zealand, says supporting causes that matter to local communities is central to the company’s values.

“Our sausage sizzles are a simple but powerful way for us to bring communities together in support of meaningful causes,” said Haines.

“By coming down to your local Bunnings and grabbing a sausage, customers are helping MND NZ continue the important work they do for people and families navigating an incredibly challenging disease.”

Bunnings stores across New Zealand will host fundraising BBQs on Saturday 6 June, between 9am and 3pm, while some Bunnings team members will also be taking on icy cold challenges to support this worthy cause.

• Sausages will be available for $2.50

• Drinks for $2

• 100 per cent of funds raised will be donated to MND NZ

On the day, customers will also have the option to make an additional donation via mobile payment.

For more information on MND Action Month or to donate, visit: https://www.mndactionmonth.org.nz/bunnings

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