Brisbane couple reveals how Neale Daniher inspired huge $40 million MND donation

A Brisbane couple behind a record-breaking $40 million donation to motor neurone disease (MND) research have said Neale Daniher’s example left them with no excuse not to do their part.

Construction magnates Quentin and Kylie Birt spoke publicly with Sunrise about the donation, revealing they were inspired by Daniher’s relentless fight against the disease and the overwhelming showing of support at Monday’s Big Freeze event at the MCG.

The couple had already donated $10 million to FightMND before Daniher’s death last month, but after witnessing 88,000 people donning Big Freeze beanies at the MCG, they were compelled to contribute a further $30 million.

Despite never meeting Daniher, Quentin said the AFL great’s determination had left a lasting impression.

“He’s one extraordinary Australian; it’s a true story. He just did his thing better than all of us put together, that’s all,” he said.

“It’s not hard, but it’s very, very hard if you don’t want to do it. You can find an excuse not to do something. He didn’t.”

Quentin said Daniher’s impact is impossible to measure, calling it “impressive beyond words”.

“Money is just a measurement ... you do stuff because you love doing it.”

Kylie said she hoped the donation would help researchers find a cure.

“That’s all you can hope,” she said.

The couple joked they would have donated more, but their bank manager would only allow a $30 million transfer on the day.

The funds will support efforts to find treatments and, ultimately, a cure for the disease Daniher famously described as “the beast”.

MND is a progressive neurological condition that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling movement, gradually affecting a person’s ability to walk, talk, swallow and breathe. There is currently no cure.

Two Australians are diagnosed with the disease every day and a further two pass away daily.

The donation comes at a time of heightened public attention on MND, with Neale Daniher’s death just weeks before this year’s Big Freeze and the recent diagnosis of NRL star Jai Arrow.