Jason Falinski (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to acknowledge two inspirational members of our northern beaches community who have dedicated their lives in hope of finding a cure for mitochondrial disease. Margie and Doug Lingard have, admirably, established the Mito Foundation, which is a not-for-profit organisation that conducts research aiming to find a cure for mitochondrial. The inspiring couple have personally fought with this complex disease. Tragically, they lost their son Alex and daughter Rose in 2017.

This disease leaves those affected unable to produce the energy needed for their cells to function. To put this into perspective, about one in 200 people will carry this disease, which equates to nearly 120,000 Australians. Doug and Margie continue to organise a yearly walkathon, named The Bloody Long Walk, to raise funds in order to support the Mito Foundation's invaluable research.

I am tremendously proud of both Margie and Doug for transforming their devastating loss into a symbol of hope and resilience. I thank them, as the creation of this foundation is not only beneficial to the northern beaches community but also influential right across Australia.