Dr Claire Reilly, QSM of Ashburton, for services to people with Motor Neurone Disease
Dr Reilly is a medical doctor who, at the age of 32, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), a terminal degenerative neurological disease for which there is no cure. She instigated the first nationwide ‘Walks 2 D’Feet MND’, which attracted 2,500 participants. Part of the money raised went towards establishing the MND NZ Research Fund. Dr Reilly was the central coordinator for last year’s event, which took place in 14 towns and cities around New Zealand. She also came up with the idea for an MND NZ television commercial involving New Zealand celebrities.