National Transport Insurance’s new truck restoration project to increase awareness and raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease research
National Transport Insurance (NTI) has announced the next instalment in its Truck Restoration Series which raises funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research.
NTI CEO Tony Clark says it’s a bitter sweet announcement for the organisation following the recent passing of his predecessor, Wayne Patterson.
Patterson’s diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease in 2015 inspired the company’s commitment to supporting research into finding a cure, and a new research grant.
“We’re extremely proud to see our vision of establishing a research grant come to fruition. Feedback from the community has been astounding,” Clark says. “They appreciate knowing exactly where their contributions are going, and what the grant represents – not just a commitment, but a legacy.
“The inaugural NTI Research Grant has been awarded to associate professor Trent Woodruff at the University of Queensland for his project manipulation of free fatty acid receptors to tame the immune response in MND.”
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The NTI 1946 Ford Jailbar promo truck has been doing the rounds with the TEKNO Autosports Team, as well as helping out the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners
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The highly anticipated project follows on from the previous restoration of a 1946 International Model K5 ‘Green Diamond’ which raised over $55,000 for the MND & Me Foundation, and NTI’s most recent 1946 Ford Jailbar promo truck.
NTI says the next truck in the series is also a 1946 Ford Jailbar, dubbed ‘Roxanne’. The driving force behind again choosing a Ford Jailbar came from the widespread public reaction to the promo vehicle which toured the Australian southern eastern states in support of V8 Rookie, Jack Le Brocq and the TEKNO Autosports Team, Clark says.
“The community love our Ford Jailbar, as do our NTI people – so it makes sense to strike while the iron is hot and do another one. The rebuild will again make use of an Isuzu Trucks N Series donor vehicle to ensure a smooth ride, easy drive, and modern day inclusions,” he says.
NTI says it’s determined to exceed previous raffle sales, which will jointly be used by the MND Research Institute of Australia to award the NTI Research Grant, and MND & Me Foundation.
Raffle tickets will be available for purchase online soon, and at the 2019 Brisbane Truck Show in May where the truck will be displayed. The winner will also be drawn on the final day of the Brisbane Truck Show.
Check out NTI’s Facebook page for information regarding tickets as well as behind-the-scenes updates on the restoration.