Ambassadors
We are so grateful to our amazing Ambassadors who have stepped up to suppor the Big Red Roll + Stroll and wider neuromuscular conditions community. Get to know them a little better here!
Tait Jenkins- 'I have MD' Community Ambassador
"My name is Tait and I was diagnosed at 18 months with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type II and I am an active member within the MD community. I am also Director of MDNSW and the national advocacy body MDFA.", he says.
“I am committed to ensuring everyone within the MD community are afforded the opportunity to live their life to the fullest as I have.”
“I’ve also previously represented Australia in the sport of Boccia, an inclusive sport which allows people with all levels of ability to play and encourages everyone to have a go.”
Thank you so much Tait for taking on the challenge and for supporting us as our Big Red Roll and Stroll Community Ambassador this year!
Scott Green - 'I have MD' Community Ambassador
"My name is Scott Green, I’m 23 and I completed the Diploma of Travel and Tourism Management a few years ago at TAFE. I’ve travelled to many places including America, New Zealand and Melbourne. I hope to one day to have a job in a Travel Agency specialising in disability travel."
"My interests are cooking, gardening, traveling and collecting anything to do with tea drinking. I also enjoy a great 70’s or 80’s song as anyone who has been to camp would know."
"I've been involved in a lot of Muscular Dystrophy NSW's programs, including Summer Camp 5 times, Adventure Camp twice, participated in the CARS trial, completed both my Bronze and Silver Duke of Ed awards and I'm about to head to my third Young Adults Weekend. I was also proudly representing the neuromuscular community, volunteering at Coogee Surf Lifesaving Club as Radio Surveillance Officers in January this year."
"I've met most of my closest friends through these programs and I'm looking forward to catching up with all the people I know at the Big Red Roll + Stroll. I really enjoy being out and about in my community so I can raise awareness for people living with neuromuscular conditions and to help people with all disabilities to be included as much as possible."
Check out a short film made about Scott a few years ago here. Thanks for your support and involvement as a community ambassador, Scott!
Image: Patrick (left) and Scott (right).
Margaret Dalrymple - 'In Memoriam' Community Ambassador
"My Name is Margaret Dalrymple. I am the mother of Peter Dalrymple (1990-2017). This walk is in memory of him."
Dalrymple's friends and family participate in the event alongside their TEAM PIG every year, to bring awareness and vital funds to support people living and affected by neruomuscular conditions.
"We want everyone to know that we are in the fight even though our loved ones are no longer with us." , says Margaret."
"Peter’s desire was to bring awareness and understanding of Muscular Dystrophy and we supported his wishes."
Thank you so much Margaret for supporting us as our Big Red Roll and Stroll Community Ambassador this year.
Carolyn Campbell-McLean - 'In Memoriam' Community Ambassador
"I love being part of the MDNSW community, building awareness of neuromuscular conditions and ensuring the rights of people with disabilities are upheld. I’m a social worker by training and get to do all these things in my role as the Peer Connect Coordinator at MDNSW. I have lived with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) for 47 years, and love connecting with my fellow SMArties for support, fellowship and fun!"
"On Sunday 19 March myself and a group of my pals will be rolling and strolling along the Parramatta River to raise awareness and funds for MDNSW awesome programs like Peer Connect. We will charge up our batteries, hope the sun is shining and roll 3km along the Parramatta Riverside Cycleway, before gathering or a big BBQ lunch. We can’t wait for the chance to re-connect and have some fun after Covid has kept us isolated for so long!"
"Another special reason I have chosen to be an Ambassador for the Big Red Roll & Stroll, is that is a lovely way to pay tribute to my late husband Danny who lived with Duchenne MD. I will be dedicating my roll ‘In Memoriam’ to Danny and to all my friends with NMCs I have lost over the years."
Thanks for your support and commitment as an ambassador, Carolyn!
Roisin O'Hagan - 'Supporting a loved one with neuromuscular condition' Community Ambassador
"Following my son’s diagnosis, I went looking for answers on how I could get involved in raising awareness and funds for research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. In 2012, I came across a bike ride organised by Muscular Dystrophy NSW which my sister, sister-in-law and I signed up for that year and the following 5 years."
"I met members of the MDNSW community and learn about programs such as the camps for kids with muscular dystrophy, neuromuscular information days and events for parents. This provided my son Patrick and I, a place where we were understood and heard."
"I hope my story and connection with MDNSW may encourage those families, living with a family member with muscular dystrophy, who haven’t connected or would like to connect with MDNSW to take the opportunity to become part of the MDNSW community."
"It’s important to me to be a part of a community that understands and supports families and those living with neuromuscular conditions with events and programs. The Big Red Roll and Stroll provides the opportunity for MDNSW members like me to advocate and raise awareness for the community that supports them.”
Thank you Roisin and Patrick for your amazing support as community amabassadors!
Ali Cavill
Owner of Fit Fantastic, Holistic Health Coach and Actor.
"I’m honoured to be an ambassador for the Big Red Roll and Stroll event and support Muscular Dystrophy NSW and people living and affected with neuromuscular conditions, says Ali. "
“My work in sport, fitness and TV has given me the good fortune of meeting children and adults of all ages and abilities. And when I learned of the devastating effects of diseases such as Muscular Dystrophy I was motivated to get involved and do my part to ensure everyone has access to opportunities to be their best self, stay active and healthy, and be part of a rewarding and inclusive community such as Muscular Dystrophy NSW. I’m thrilled that there are initiatives such as this so that together we can raise vital funds and awareness.”
Ali has previously been an Ambassador for Muscular Dystrophy NSW's most important fundraising challenge, Sugar Free September in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Thank you Ali for your long standing support and commitment to the neuromuscular community.
Shannan Ponton
Australia's most successful trainer for The Biggest Loser Australia
"I’m proud to be an ambassador for the Big Red Roll + Stroll and support the work of Muscular Dystrophy NSW and all they do to support people living with neuromuscular conditions."
"Muscular Dystrophy is a terrible degenerative disease which can severely impact or prevent people from doing everyday things that most of us take for granted. It’s especially devastating for kids that live with it. Muscular Dystrophy NSW do an incredible job in supporting people of all ages and in particular provide a great community for kids with Muscular Dystrophy by providing them with a range of activities that they can do!"
Shannan has previously been an Ambassador for Muscular Dystrophy NSW's most important fundraising challenge, Sugar Free September in 2015 and again in 2020, 2021 and 2022. We so appreciate Shannan's long standing support and commitment to the neuromuscular community.
Botille "Bo" Vette-Welsh
Rugby League footballer for the Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers
Bo is passionate about giving back to others and being a good role model for youngsters, she says.
"I try to use my voice and my platform to give back to the community, so am honoured to be raising awareness for the 13,000 aussies here in NSW living with the devastating impacts of muscular dystrophy."
She is excited to be an ambassador for the Big Red Roll + Stroll community fundraising event.
Bo is also an ambassador and fundraiser for our Sugar Free September campaign. Thank you Bo for your support and lending your voice to our community!
