Former truck driver Warren ‘Woz’ Acott passed away yesterday following a brave battle with motor neurone disease (MND).
Warren had spent more than 40 years on the road, including 20 years as an owner operator, before his diagnosis in July 2023 forced him to give it all up.
Determined not to let MND stop him in his tracks, Warren did all he could to make a difference to those impacted by this debilitating disease.
Armed with his ride-on lawnmower – which became his makeshift wheelchair – Warren set off on a gruelling journey, which would become his last run up the highways.
He launched the Mow Down MND campaign, with the help of his daughter Belinda, bringing a voice to those suffering from the disease.
His goal was to push for the government to make MND a notifiable disease, which would go a long way in assisting with future research and helping those suffering from the illness to find the help and services they need.
Departing from his home in Toolleen, Victoria, Warren travelled all the way to Parliament House in Canberra, where he got his voice heard, meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss the issue.
Supported by family members, including two of his young grandkids, his team as by his side the whole time – and despite set-backs, including an awful fall, there was nothing that could get in his way.
A true display of strength, resilience and determination, Warren’s 772-kilometre journey took 11 days to complete – capturing the hearts of the nation.
His petition to make MND a notifiable disease received over 14,000 signatures, and the Mow Down MND campaign also raised $17,098 for MND Australia and $7577 for MND Victoria.
Belinda told Big Rigs her father fought hard right to the end. “Going from someone who used to do everything for himself to literally not even being able to do anything was his living nightmare,” she said.
“He hung around for as long as he could for us and made a difficult but courageous choice in the end. He will always be in the hearts of his daughter, son, four grandchildren, ex-wife and all who loved him. He was a fighter all the way until the end and will be truly missed.”
A funeral service will be held on Friday November 15 at 2pm at the Bendigo Funeral Centre.