Big Freeze, Neale Daniher raise record amount
Despite the cancellation of the main Big Freeze event, Aussies have rallied around the FightMND cause, raising a record amount of money to help AFL great Neale Daniher fight motor neurone disease.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Australians have rallied together to raise a record amount of money in the fight against motor neurone disease.
FightMND today announced an incredible $11.9 million has been raised across the country this year as part of the annual Big Freeze fundraiser — despite the main event being cancelled due to coronavirus.
The money will go towards world-leading research and hopefully, one day, help find a cure for the debilitating disease.
The charity, which was started by AFL great Neale Daniher, has raised more than $40 million in just six years of the icy event, with this year’s tally more than doubling the amount raised in 2019.
Mr Daniher’s daughter Bec took the plunge this morning to mark the end of the campaign, which has become close to the hearts of many across Australia.
She said the Daniher family had been “humbled” by the outpouring.
“We really felt it was our obligation to continue the fight in whatever way we could,” Ms Daniher, who is the charity’s Campaigns Director, said.
“We cannot thank the Australian public enough for their support.
“I think it shows people continue to listen to our fight and back Dad in his personal journey but also everyone out there who is fighting The Beast.”
FightMND CEO Jamie Howden said it was humbling to have the support of the community during already difficult times.
“We were able to achieve an amazing fundraising total this year and that was only made possible by the continued loyal and passionate support of our great FightMND Army,” he said.
“It was a very different Big Freeze campaign to previous years, and we acknowledge the challenges everyone is facing out there at the moment, so for so many people to buy a beanie and donate demonstrates just how important people regard the need to tackle ‘The Beast’ head on really is.”
Major sponsor Coles raised $5.2 million through the sale of the Big Freeze beanies and Coles brand fresh pork, while Bunnings and the Australian Government also backed the cause.
Coles Group CEO Steven Cain thanked the community for their generosity.
“There is nothing quite like the passion the community has for an event like the Big Freeze and the admiration Australians feel for Neale Daniher, his family and everyone at FightMND who have dedicated themselves to helping fight the beast that is Motor Neurone Disease,” he said.
MORE NEWS
AFL FAVOURITES’ CREATIVE BIG FREEZE COSTUMES
20 NEW CASES CONFIRMED AS ANOTHER VICTORIAN DIES