Twelve months ago 53-year-old Nelson Bay father of eight Steve Lingard was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), a progressive, terminal neurological illness with no known cure and no effective treatment.

Beyond the initial heartache, Lingard has found acceptance and a determination to retain his appetite for life, his caring nature and a sense of humour. He could have also stumbled upon a miracle cure.

A rugby league tragic originally from the Parramatta district, Lingard moved to the Bay 25 years ago where he took a keen interest in watching his children play sport and a willingness to lend a helping hand both on and off the field.

He would regularly turn up in his modified wheelchair to cheer on his 14-year-old son playing for the Nelson Bay juniors.

While the community is getting behind a fundraiser to help ease the family’s financial burden, Lingard has been given a glimmer of hope by being selected to take part in a ground-breaking trial for MND sufferers.

“I consider myself lucky to have been chosen for the trial, but even if it doesn’t help me I hope it can be of some use to MND sufferers in the future,” the former carpenter said.

“There’s 12 of us and it can’t do me any more harm.”

Led by professors Matthew Kiernan (University of Sydney) and Steve Vucic (University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital), the TEALS (Tecfidera in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) study is a clinical trial investigating the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of the drug Tecfidera in people with MND.

“Tecfidera is currently used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis and works by dampening down inflammation. A variety of neuroinflammatory changes occur in people with MND including a reduction in immune cells known as regulatory T cells,” Prof Vucic said of the trial.

“In animal models of MND, increasing levels of regulatory T-cells has been beneficial to survival. In humans, Tecfidera enhances regulatory T cell levels, so the investigators hope to slow down MND progression by targeting this pathway.”

Folowing his diagnosis last September, Lingard has had to give up his work as a carpenter, leaving the family to rely on wife Jacki’s sole income.

The community has rallied to get behind the extended family, which includes three foster children, through a major fundraising raffle with tickets on sale until December 21.

Organiser Meagan Harding, from the Port Stephens-based Care for You At Home nursing service, has donated as the major prize a personally autographed Parramatta Eels Legends artwork of Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny and Ray Price.

Tickets are $3 each or four for $10 and can be purchased at Shoal Bay Pharmacy, through Nelson Bay Junior Rugby League Club, Soldiers Point Bowling Club, the Care for You at Home office in Taylors Beach, or email office@care4uathome.com.au or phone (02) 4981 4404.

“Every cent raised from the raffle or from donations will go directly to the Lingard family,” Harding said.