Sydney philanthropist David Lesnie has committed to funding of $2.5 million for nursing services and research in support of the NSW Parkinson’s community. It will be called the Lesnie Parkinson’s Nurse Program.

The funding will underwrite the Parkinson’s NSW Parkinson’s Specialist Nurse program and is structured to attract additional philanthropic and government funding for the cause.

A portion of the funding will also go to partner organisation Neuroscience Research Australia (NueRA) to validate the nursing program as the most appropriate model of care for the state.

David Lesnie had a long and distinguished career as a CPA, stockbroker, member of the ASX and Company Director. He retired in 2002 and is prominent in the Sydney Jewish community and sporting circles, as well as being an active philanthropist.

When asked to share the vision for the Lesnie Parkinson’s Nurse Program, David opted for a sporting analogy: “When you want a team to win, you don’t support only half of the players – you really need to get behind them all. It is the same with Parkinson’s disease. To win this battle we need to get behind the service delivery for the community and the research team as well.”