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Headlines 11 Margie Carter Donor Relations Specialist Lower North Island As with so many people and organisations, COVID-19 has really hampered our fundraising efforts over the past six months. We have had to cancel all our in-person events and many of our visits to meet with our incredible supporters. However, I am feeling optimistic that we may return to some normality soon. Well, I am hopeful, anyway! As an alternative to events, we have held a huge number of online talks, which have been extremely popular. If you are interested in watching any of these, please do get in touch, and I can direct you to the web page. These talks have been incredibly informative, and it is wonderful that everyone can access them from the comfort of their own home. I feel so humbled and grateful for the continued support our donors have offered over the last six months. In particular, we have received some amazing legacies from people who realise the importance of neurological research. I am incredibly passionate about what a difference a bequest can truly make to the work that the researchers are doing. Legacies have the potential to be a game-changer in making progress. If anyone is interested in more information on leaving a gift in their will to make an impact on neurological research in New Zealand, please do get in touch with Theresa or I. We would love to chat with you about this. Over the last three-and-a-half years working for the Foundation, one of the aspects I have loved most is connecting with our supporters. I feel privileged to hear the amazing personal stories and reasons behind why people support neurological research. So often it is due to a loved one suffering from one of the over 700 neurological conditions. Sometimes, we can match a person's interest in a certain area of neurological research to a research project currently being funded by the Foundation. This is a wonderful way for our supporters to get more involved in a research project. For example, Dr Molly Swanson is conducting a three- year research project titled ‘Identifying Spatiotemporal Microglial Activation Changes in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)’. We have matched some families whose loved ones have suffered from ALS to this project, so their donations go directly to supporting Dr Swanson's project. It is hugely rewarding to update these supporters on the progress and findings being made in Dr Swanson's work. The Foundation cannot continue to fund research without the support of New Zealanders, and we are so very grateful. I really look forward to meeting with as many supporters as possible over the next year. I also look forward to being able to host events in areas near you in the not-so-distant future. Please do get in touch with me if you have any questions about some of the current research happening in New Zealand. I would love to hear from you. Kellie Bain, who many of you know through her time as our South Island Donor Relations Specialist, has moved on from the Foundation after three years to take up a great local opportunity. We will be replacing her role in the mainland and will bring you news on your new regional contact as soon as possible. In the meantime, if you’d like to discuss your options or interests in supporting neurological research, please do feel free to contact Margie or Theresa. "I am incredibly passionate about what a difference a bequest can truly make to the work that the researchers are doing. Legacies have the potential to be a game-changer in making progress..." Margie on the far right with her family and pooch Holly.