Since 2021, Jennifer Barrett, Robert Akers, and committee members Bev Seiver, Mia Clancy, Matthew Dumbrill, Alex Connell, have been hosting the Andrew Barrett Memorial Hunter MND Ball in Newcastle, supporting families facing MND.
Jennifer’s husband Andrew was sadly diagnosed with MND in 2018, two decades after losing his mother to the same condition.
“He accepted his diagnoses with bravery and resilience and never complained about the life altering changes that were happening to him,” Jennifer said.
“His mother also passed away from MND in 1998, and he always felt he would be diagnosed with it and knew what journey he was about to face.”
Our MND NSW motto of ‘Never Give Up’ has been embraced by the Barrett family – despite Andrew losing his battle with MND just a few years after diagnosis, they have continued to help wherever they can, raising awareness and vital funds to help support others facing motor neurone disease.
“Andrew was diagnosed on the 6 August 2018 and lived with MND for just over three years and passed away 5 November 2021,” Jennifer said.
” Andrew donated his brain and spine to MND research, so he is still helping our researchers even after his passing!”
“The kids and I miss Andrew every day and we wish he was here with us, but I know he would be proud of where we are in our lives. I promised Andrew that the kids and I would continue to raise awareness and fundraise for MND.”
“Grief is an emotional roller coaster but somehow we get through each day!”
Thankful for the support of MND NSW, they chose to raise funds and help us be there for other families facing the same challenges they did in their battle against MND.
“We were grateful to be supported by MND NSW as we gained a lot from the support group. It was good in the sense that Andrew was able to talk about MND to other people walking the same path, and also for me to talk to the other women and express how I was feeling as they were feeling it too,” Jennifer said.
“I have made life-long friends with beautiful men and women, and I don’t know where I would be without them.”
Jennifer, assisted by Robert Akers and other friends, began to hold a series of fundraising events, ultimately leading to their amazing annual ball.
“A wonderful group of friends organised trivia nights and wine tasting tours in the beginning and then suggested we have an annual Ball,” she said.
“We were very fortunate that Andrew was at our first event and I know he has been with us as we’ve grown over the years. To think we started with 93 people and now we are at 500 for our 2026 Ball is incredible.”
“We look forward to many more events honouring Andrew and other people who are living with MND or sadly passed.”
Their next fundraising event will be held at The Nex in Newcastle in June, with tickets already sold out. Robert said aside from raising vital funds for MND NSW, another of their main aims with the annual event was to ‘raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and its impacts within the community’.
“The growth of our event has been phenomenal and shows the dedication of the people of the Hunter region to fight the fight against MND, to the point where next years’ event has already sold out at 500 people!,” Robert said.
“At our 2025 event, we raised an amazing $40,000, and all our proceeds go to MND NSW, who support people and their families who either are or have been impacted by MND. There is currently no cure, and the average life expectancy for a person diagnosed with MND in Australia is 27 months.”
“Our dedicated fundraising team are a group of friends and family of Andrew’s, who all donate their time and money to ensure this event is both fun-filled while also raising awareness. Team Barrett’s motto of “Never Give Up” is embodied in every person who supports the cause, with everything used to raise money (including raffle prizes, silent auction items, and our wonderful photographer Emily) donated by businesses or individuals who have either been touched by Andrew’s story or knows someone impacted.”
“At our 2025 event, we were blessed to have Luke Doré attend. Luke is a 39-year-old father of two, who was diagnosed with MND in 2024. He is going to be teaming up with Team Barrett to ensure we continue to raise awareness and funds for the fight.”
If you would like to host your own Community Fundraising event for MND NSW like Jennifer and Robert, click here for more information, or contact Fundraising Assistant Danielle Allen at
