The Michael Tynan “touch” is as strong as ever.
His family set the ambitious goal of raising $500,000 in his name to fund medical research at St George and Sutherland Hospitals.
They well and truly exceeded the target, raising $525,000 from two big events.
More than 400 people, including many of the biggest names in the motor industry, attended a gala dinner last week, which was the second of the two events.
The first was the Michael Tynan Memorial Challenge, which involved separate groups taking part in a two-day walk through Royal National Park, a paddle from Wollongong to Bundeena and a car rally.
Mr Tynan, a giant of the motor industry and former president (mayor) of Sutherland Shire Council, died in February this year at 80, as his company was about to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
He was a great supporter of the the St George and Sutherland Medical Research Foundation, and his daughter Madeline, a principal of Tynan Motors, is a board member.
“We had anticipated what what we needed to try and bring in, and I had to go out and do it,” Ms Tynan said.
”The foundation and Tynan Motors combined their resources and went for it.
“It has been very challenging, but also very emotional and rewarding.”
Ms Tynan said the company’s 50 years celebrations were “about rejoicing at the person dad was, and doors opened because of him”.
“The number of people who came forward to help us out with funding as well as manpower because, in some way, they had been touched by him was amazing.
“He would have been pleased his name was used to help medical research and I don’t think he would have minded seeing his face everywhere.”
Ms Tynan thanked all those who contributed to the fund-raising effort.
Foundation chair, Professor John Edmonds, said Madeline and the Tynan family epitomised philanthropy.
“The Tynan family's commitment to giving back to their community is an example to all of us,” he said.
“Michael Tynan was a true leader of his community, in business and in his family and these two events were a fitting tribute to him.
“On behalf of the foundation, I thank Michael's wife Annette for her support, and Madeline for an extraordinary effort.”
The foundation is committed to seven research projects.
They include studies into septicaemia; blood clots; temperature control in acute brain injury; swallow disorders; the importance of exercise on chemotherapy patients; treating acute sciatica;inflammatory diseases.
