Mick Fanning to take an icy plunge for Fight MND’s The Big Freeze at the MCG

Surfing legend Mick Fanning will be the first of nine iconic Aussies to slide into an icy pool for Fight MND’s footy fundraiser at the MCG.

Surfing great Mick Fanning will take part in Big Freeze at the ’G.

Aussie surfing legend Mick Fanning will swap big waves for The Big Freeze as the first slider unveiled for Fight MND’s footy fundraiser at the MCG.

The triple world champion will join a group of celebrities sliding into an icy pool before Melbourne and Collingwood’s Kings Birthday Weekend blockbuster to raise funds and awareness for the charity.

Fanning said he was proud to support the charity striving to give motor neurone disease the boot and the inspirational work of Fight MND co-founder Neale Daniher.

Surfing great Mick Fanning will take part in Big Freeze at the G as a celebrity slider.

“I’m very honoured to be in the Big Freeze and right from the beginning it’s something that I wanted to do,’’ he said.

“Being able to give back to the people who are fighting MND and giving them support is something I really believe in.’’

Fanning, who famously fought off a shark on live TV while surfing in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, said he “always wanted to be a slider’’ and hoped this year’s ninth instalment of the Big Freeze broke fundraising records.

“I just hope there is a cure out there and I think we’ve got the right people trying to find a cure,’’ he said.

Fanning is the first of nine Big Freeze sliders to be announced in the next 10 days, drawing together personalities from the worlds of sport, show business and TV.

Fanning says he’s very honoured to take part in the Big Freeze.

He said he was drawn to the cause years ago, when he met FightMND co-founder Ian Davis before his 2018 death from the disease and chatting to Daniher before the first Big Freeze in 2015.

“MND doesn’t just affect the person with the disease, it affects their whole family and friends,’’ he said.

“If we can help support those people and support those that are suffering, it goes a long way to make them feel they have the extra strength to go on fighting.

“So let’s support everyone in the Big Freeze, but a beanie and let’s get sliding.’’

Fight MND beanies can be bought at www.fightmnd.org.au Coles and Bunnings.

Originally published as Mick Fanning to take an icy plunge for Fight MND’s The Big Freeze at the MCG