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Queensland couple donates $40 million to FightMND, prefers not to be called philanthropists

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Brisbane couple Quentin and Kylie Birt donated $40 million to the FightMND foundation, bringing their total charitable giving to over $100 million in two years.
  • The couple, who prefer not to be known as philanthropists, were inspired by Neale Daniher's book and the impact of Motor Neurone Disease.
  • Quentin Birt, who grew up in poverty, built his wealth through his civil construction company and sees his donations as simply doing what he can.

Quentin and Kylie Birt, a Brisbane couple, have donated more than $100 million to charities over the past two years, including a recent $40 million gift to the FightMND foundation. Despite their significant contributions, they state they are not seeking recognition as philanthropists. The couple was moved to give after reading Neale Daniher's book about his battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

We said if we can do it, we will.

— Quentin BirtOn the decision to make a large donation to the FightMND foundation.

"We said if we can do it, we will," Mr. Birt said, describing the donation as a simple decision made after a lunch meeting with his bank. He downplayed the scale of his contribution, comparing it to a child saving bottle tops for a small donation. Mr. Birt has personal experience with the devastating effects of MND, having lost an employee and a friend to the disease.

A little kid that decides to save up bottle tops and donates $22 or whatever, you might consider it's the same. He's done what he could, and I've done what I could.

— Quentin BirtDownplaying the significance of his large donation by comparing it to a child's effort.

Mr. Birt, 86, founded his civil construction company, Q H & M Birt, in 1973, starting with minimal equipment. His company has since become a major player in Australia's civil construction sector. He attributes his success to his father's encouragement to pursue education and his own drive to build a business, despite growing up in poverty on a dairy farm.

It's an awful thing in the respect that at this stage, there's no option except the obvious. Who knows, around the corner, maybe they will get a cure.

— Quentin BirtDescribing the nature of Motor Neurone Disease and the hope for a cure.

The Birts' involvement in charity began about seven years ago. Their motivation stems from a desire to support causes like FightMND, which is working towards a cure for a disease that currently offers no hope beyond its progression. Mr. Birt believes that the solutions to such diseases will come from dedicated individuals, not financial gain.

I wasn't a particularly bright student, but I got to appreciate the fact that if you open your mind, have a look around, that was something that we would never have done on the farm.

— Quentin BirtReflecting on his early education and its impact compared to his upbringing on a farm.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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