![Image of employees at a townhall meeting announcement](/media/u4zj1n4w/access-charity-1.jpg?width=350&v=1d829fbd82e4230)
The Access Group Charity of the Year program is our way of giving back to causes that are close to the hearts of our people. This year we’re supporting MDANZ to help offer hope for the future by helping to fundi its fieldwork support, an essential service accessed by members .
The charity was nominated by Access employee Tyler Barnes, whose nephew Eli (below image) has muscular dystrophy and has received help from MDANZ.
![Eli Barnes on his bike](/media/ymtfjw11/eli-barnes-on-his-bike.jpg?rmode=max&width=350&height=248&v=1d82d1c4d247a00)
“This is massive honour for me and my family and we’re very grateful for the support – the partnership will make a big difference to hundreds of families across the country who suffer from neuromuscular conditions,” said Tyler.
Through a wide number of fundraising events across our New Zealand offices and online, we’re encouraging all our people to raise funds for MDANZ, which will help provide additional support services for the charity.
About Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand
The Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand Inc. is a member-led organisation established by New Zealanders with lived experience of neuromuscular conditions.
Starting in the 1950’s as a support group for families affected by muscular dystrophy, MDANZ is now the leading source of information and support for our community.
Primarily, MDANZ works to strengthen and support individuals with neuromuscular conditions, their whānau and their communities of support. They also campaign to improve public awareness of these rare conditions and work with clinicians and researchers to improve pathways to diagnosis and care standards for its members.