Mate's Crew is a family fundraising team raising money for FightMND in memory of Geoff Smalley, known to his grandchildren and family as 'Mate'.
Geoff spent his life teaching people. He taught at high schools across the region for more than twenty years, including Sunbury College. He owned and operated Gisborne South Swimming Centre for thirty-two years, teaching over 10,000 students to swim, and he was Head Coach of the South Gisborne Sharks Swimming Club for more than twenty years, guiding swimmers all the way to elite competition. He barracked, proudly and loyally, for the Western Bulldogs.
Not long after Geoff retired, he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in October 2020. He fought this disease with strength and dignity before passing away on 15 February 2022.
We are now committed to continuing his fight, so that no other families have to see and endure what this disease does. We formed Mate's Crew to take part in Daniher's Drive to raise funds for FightMND, because there is still no cure for this disease. In 2025 we raised $16,000. In 2026 we're going for $20,000.
Every event we run, every ticket sold, goes towards finding one.