MUM’S THE WORD FOR MS FUNDRAISER
MAKAIRA Muscat, 10, is on a mission to be the top national fundraiser for the sixth consecutive year in the MS Readathon, raising more than $30,000 and reading more than 2000 books in the process.
It is a cause close to her heart. Each night she helps her mum Rebecca into bed, and helps with cooking and cleaning.
Mrs Muscut was 26 and Makaira was just a baby when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. About 25,600 Australians live with the incurable and lifelong neurological condition, with three out of four of those affected being women.
“When she was aged 3-4 they were my worst years with the disease, and she started then learning how to wash clothes and help around the house,” Mrs Muscut said.
“She’s become such a caring and empathetic girl, who still looks after me. She’s incredible.”
The grade five student has given a speech about the 40th anniversary of the readathon to her classmates at Lumen Christi Catholic Primary School in Point Cook in Victoria, with more than 60 students now signed up.
“I told them it’s really important that we can help find a cure,” she said.
Makaira has organised a barbecue as well as a morning tea at her dad Sam’s work.
For more details, go to: www.msreadathon.org.au