ABOUT

Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Warrnambool was founded in 2016 by Christopher and his younger brother Aaron. They both suffer from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and wanted to try to make a difference for those suffering from the disease. Their aim was to raise as much money and awareness as possible in the hope of finding a cure for future generations well aware it was too late to help them.

Christopher and Aaron raise awareness and much needed funds by selling merchandise (Hoodies, Shirts, T-Shirts, Beanies, Caps, Stubby Holders, Pens, Green Laces, Stickers) as well as holding many different fundraising events around the region. Up until February 2020 the Gillin family raised over $150,000 that was shared between Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation and Muscular Dystrophy Australia.

Unfortunately Aaron passed away in October 2017 aged 24 but this hasn’t stopped Christopher from pushing on with the campaign and continuing to raise awareness in the hope their dream of finding a cure for future generations comes true.

In February 2020 Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Warrnambool became a registered foundation with a full committee and is now known as The Gillin Boys Foundation Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Warrnambool INC. This change has allowed them to spread awareness of Muscular Dystrophy further and raise much needed funds for research and clinical trials on a larger scale.

Since the change The Gillin Boys Foundation has raised roughly another $425,000 and has made five significant donations to help find a cure of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. $35,000 donation to Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation in June 2020, $40,000 donation to the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne Neuromuscular Clinic in June 2022, as well as three significant donations to the Murdoch Children's Research Institute $50,000 (December 2022), $100,000 (May 2023) and $100,000 (March 2024) that will be used for Duchenne research.

All the money raised by The Gillin Boys Foundation Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Warrnambool goes directly to research and clinical trials to help find a cure so future generations don't have to suffer the same fate as previous generations.

On September 17th 2024 an announcement was made confirming that The Gillin Boys Foundation Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Warrnambool has joined forces with Curi Bio and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute to bring cutting-edge 3D equipment to Australia that will be a game changer in the fight to end Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The Mantarray, known as the genie's lamp has been installed at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute thanks to our latest significant donation made to the Institute back in March and the amazing support from Curi Bio, based in Seattle.

"The More Funds We Raise, The Quicker The Cure."

FAQ

What is Muscular Dystrophy?

What is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?

Donation & Sponsorships

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Want to donate?

Become a sponsor

Choose your donation/sponsorship level and make a bank transfer (details below) or email your details to chrisgillin@gmail.com if you require an invoice.

Business Gold - $500 and over

Logo on Website
Green Laces
Sticker Set
Banner displayed at all official functions
Recognition on all digital assets

Business Silver - $250 to $499

Green Laces
Sticker Set
Logo on website

Business Bronze - $100 to $249

Green Laces
Sticker set

All packages include postage and handling.

Direct Bank Transfer:

Account #: 05939632

BSB #: 325-185

If invoices or receipts are required for this service, please email your details to chrisgillin@gmail.com

To receive your green laces/sticker pack please email chrisgillin@gmail.com with your postal address.

2-Seater Sprintcar rides

Get ready for an electrifying experience in a 2-seater sprintcar like no other!

Feel the adrenaline surge as you're strapped into the cockpit, the roar of the engine, the G-forces in the corners, and the sheer thrill of it all will leave you breathless.

Whether you're a racing fanatic or a first-timer, this unforgettable adventure promises memories that'll last a lifetime. Contact us now to make an enquiry and get ready to embrace the exhilaration of sprintcar racing!

Enquire Here

Merchandise

If you would like to purchase any of our merchandise please email chrisgillin@gmail.com or message our Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Warrnambool Facebook page.

Visit Facebook Page

Stubby Holders $10

Pens $3 each

Green Laces $3 a pair

5x5cm Stickers $2

10x10cm Stickers $4

30x30cm Stickers $10

Beanies (Front) $30

Beanies (Back)

Hat $30

Thank you for your support!

Thanks to our Sponsors

PATRON

during the AFL 2011 Toyota Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the MCG, Melbourne.

Brad Ottens

Brad is a retired 3x AFL premiership ruckman/forward. Brad was drafted from Glenelg Football Club to the Richmond Football Club in the 1997 national draft. He played 129 games & kicked 152 goals for Richmond before he was traded to the Geelong Football Club at the end of the 2004 season where he went on to play 116 games & kick 109 goals. Brad became an integral part of the highly successful Geelong Cats team that won premierships in 2007, 2009 & 2011, he retired at the end of the 2011 season having played 245 AFL games. Since retirement he has remained around the club on a part time basis as ruck coach, passing on his experience to teach the current rucks.

Also since retiring Brad alongside his wife Sarah started 'Pepper Sprout' an event & furniture hire business servicing weddings & corporate events in Geelong, Melbourne & Regional Victoria.

Brad also has his own custom furniture business 'O Design'. Brad designs & creates all the amazing furniture pieces in his workshop at home.

AMBASSADORS

Nathan Sobey

Nathan started his basketball career playing for the Warrnambool Seahawks. He then spent 4 years in America playing college basketball. On his return to Australia he began his full professional career signing with the Cairns Taipans for the 2014-15 NBL season. He signed with the Adelaide 36ers the following season where he remained until the end of the 2018-19 season before signing a 3 year deal with the Brisbane Bullets at the start of the 2019-20 season. Nathan has also represented Australia on multiple occasions, winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Mia-Rae Clifford

Mia-Rae Clifford is a footballer in the AFL Women's competition. She was drafted by Melbourne in the 2016 draft for the inaugural AFLW season in 2017 as a defender. Following the 2017 AFLW season Mia-Rae signed with Geelong to play as a small defensive forward for the 2018 season. Mia-Rae played 2 seasons at the Cats then signed with Fremantle for the 2020 season. Following the 2020 AFLW season Mia-Rae signed with Essendon's VFLW team to play in the 2021 season where she took out the club leading goal kicker award. Ahead of the 2022 season Mia-Rae was named co-captain of the Bombers alongside Georgia Nanscawen, the pair led the team to an undefeated season that culminated in winning the 2022 VFLW Premiership. Following the 2022 VFLW season Georgia Nanscawen was drafted to Essendon's AFLW team so Mia-Rae was joined by Courtney Ugle as co-captain for the 2023 season. During this time Mia-Rae became a dual sport athlete also signing with the Melbourne Rebels for the 2023 Super W rugby season. Following the 2023 season Mia-Rae decided to leave the Bombers, signing with the Western Bulldogs VFLW side for the 2024 season.

Brock Hallett

Brock is a speedway driver from Adelaide, South Australia. He is a highly talented driver in multiple speedway classes including Speedcars, Formula 500's & is currently behind the wheel of a 410ci Sprintcar. Brock is a 2x Australian Formula 500 champion and 2023 Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic champion.

Corey McCullagh

Corey's background mainly resides in bitumen karting before making the switch to speedway. Corey started with a short stint in Formula 500s before following his dreams & moving to sprintcars. In 2018 Corey won one of the biggest sprintcar races in the world the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic on his home track.

Tim Ludeman

Tim is a wicket keeper-batsman from Warrnambool. Tim spent a few years playing for Victoria before making a switch to South Australia for better opportunity during the 2009 off-season. Tim has also played for the Adelaide Strikers & the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League.

Christopher Robertson

Christopher is a close family friend & next-door neighbour of the Gillin family. He has always been a massive supporter of Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Warrnambool from the beginning. All his footy boots, sneakers or cricket shoes are laced up with Green Laces, his cricket bat has a green grip & MDAWarrnambool sticker & he even has a green leg rope on his surfboard just to spread awareness of Muscular Dystrophy.

Tim Rankin

Tim is a speedway driver from Simpson in Victoria. Tim is an extremely talented driver across multiple speedway divisions including Go Karts, Junior Sedans, Super Rods, Formula 500s & Sprintcars. Throughout his stellar career Tim has been successful in each racing class. Tim's achievements include winning multiple Victorian Country Series Go Kart races, Neville Pike Cup in Junior Sedans, 2011 Super Rod Cup, 2 Jack Willsher Cups, Victorian Champion & 2022/23 Stampede Series Champion in Formula 500s as well as 2012 SRA Rookie Of The Year & 2012 Victorian Champion in Sprintcars. To top it all off Tim is also our number 1 driver of the Gillin Boys Foundation 2-seater Sprintcar. Tim has known the Gillin family since he was a child & has been a massive supporter of the foundation since the beginning.

Grant Stansfield

Grant is a local Warrnambool speedway driver. Grant is a highly talented driver across multiple speedway divisions including Go Karts, Junior Sedans, Super Rods, Formula 500s & Sprintcars. Grant is known for his laid back attitude off the track but turns into a speed demon when he hits the track. Throughout his career Grant has had success in each racing class. Grant's achievements include 2006/07 Super Rod Rookie Of The Year & multiple Victorian Super Rod Championship podium finishes, multiple Formula 500 Australian Championship podium finishes, 2nd place in the 2016/17 Formula 500 Speedweek as well as Formula 500 victories in the 2014/15 Blue Lake Classic & the 2010/11 Victorian drivers points championship. Grant then formed a partnership with the Robilliard family & switched to Sprintcars behind the wheel of the VA88. This switch paid off straight away with Grant taking out the 2017/18 SRA Rookie Of The Year. Since then Grant has finished 3rd in the 2018/19 SRA Sprintcar Series, 2 SRA feature wins, 6 SRA feature podiums & the major career achievement of being 1 of the 24 drivers in the 2022 Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic feature race. To top it all off Grant is also one of our select drivers to jump behind the wheel of the Gillin Boys Foundation 2-seater Sprintcar.

Ava Bilyk

Ava Bilyk is the cousin of our co-founders Christopher & Aaron Gillin. Ava is an extremely talented junior women's footballer from Geelong. Ava began playing football with St Mary's in the U10 Boys squad before the club created a junior women's team. Ava has been a standout in the junior women's program since St Mary's began fielding a side. Ava now 15 has already won numerous awards & achieved some amazing things in a career just starting to take off. As a bottom age player Ava took out the 2022 Geelong Football Netball League & St Mary's U15 Best & Fairest awards then backed it up winning the 2023 Geelong Football Netball League & St Mary's U16 Best & Fairest awards again as a bottom age player. In 2023 Ava & her St Mary's teammates won the Division 1 Under 16's Premiership, Ava was also awarded best on ground in the Premiership victory. 2024 has started well for Ava, she started a football scholarship at Geelong Grammar & was named captain of the U16 Geelong Falcons. Ava represented Vic Country at the 2024 U16 Girls AFL National Development Championships where she also won the Vic Country M.V.P & was named in the All Australian team. Ava has a very bright future ahead, so we are excited to follow her career unfold & extremely grateful to have her representing our foundation.

Latest updates

Contact us

Get In Touch

If you are interested in helping us with our campaign or would like to buy any of our merchandise please feel free to send us a message below, every little bit helps us in our #FightForACure

EMAIL

chrisgillin@gmail.com