Don Bird is a gentle giant – a tall, strongly built man with a young family (Remi, 16, Rylan, 14, Oakli, 11) and a wonderful wife, Kylie. Born in Gippsland, in Victoria's east, Don grew up amongst timber cutters and bushmen. He loves the Australian bush and is a keen camper, fisherman and 4WD enthusiast – well, he was before his illness.

Living in the suburbs of Geelong (a rural city of just over 200,000) Don's life revolves around friends and family. He has enjoyed sporting activities, supporting the Geelong Cats in AFL and following cycling racing, in which his son, Rylan, competes. He is a member of the Geelong 4WD club and has helped out at school and sporting club working bees, ballet school concerts, 'work-for-the-dole" programs and much more. Don is a generous man and a firm and loyal friend.

Don has worked as a handyman for quite a few years now, but has been unable to work since last August. Fortunately his wife Kylie, took up a one year contract as a teacher at Barwon Valley School (for intellectually and physically disabled children) at the start of 2011, to keep the family afloat financially. Don does his best to help Kylie with the family's needs but is relegated to picking-up the kids from school, sport or dancing. Don is an incredible dad and has always been an active parent – but sadly no more!

The Bird family are great people – kind, generous, good-humoured - good citizens. They are a family who are modest in their lifestyle and their needs.

They are "Aussie battlers" who deserve support.