NTI has delivered a research grant to John Lee at the University of Queensland’s School of Biomedical Sciences via the MND and Me Foundation.

NTI raised the funds earlier this year through record-breaking ticket sales for its latest expedition vehicle. The raffle raised $395,800 for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research, the highest of any of the five trucks gifted by NTI.

Dr Lee says the 2023 NTI MND Research Grant will allow him to continue examining the role of the immune system in driving processes in the brain and spinal cord of MND patients, which leads to motor neurones dying.

“This research grant will help us to understand this process better,” he said. “From this work, we hope to identify potential new treatments to test in people living with MND.”

NTI CEO Tony Clark says the organisation has now raised more than $1.5 million for MND research over four years since former CEO Wayne Patterson lost his battle with MND.

“We’re proud to continue supporting research into MND to help find treatments and ultimately a cure for this difficult disease,” Mr Clark said.

Blue Mountains-based Ian Fuller – who won the NTI "luxury on wheels” motorhome which has a queen-sized bed, kitchenette, showers, solar panels and electric legs – has enjoyed a trip with wife Margaret around Queensland’s Cape York.

The Isuzu 4x4 crew cab can be used as a working truck as the 3.5m motorhome slides on and off the back.

Around 2500 people in Australia are estimated to have Motor Neurone Disease. Two people are diagnosed and two die each day, with little known about why people suddenly develop the disease.