Neale Daniher: ‘Thank you, not just for me but on behalf of all families affected with MND’

The Fight MND charity is on track to take its fundraising tally beyond $100m as campaigner Neale Daniher says “the reality is there is still more to do”.

Generous Victorians opened their hearts and wallets to make the 10th instalment of Neale Daniher’s Big Freeze at the ’G the most successful yet.

A crowd of 84,000 packed the MCG on Monday – not just to watch a game of footy but to support the man championing the great quest for a cure for motor neurone disease.

With the help of celebrity sliders and an army of supporters in trademark blue Fight MND beanies, Team Daniher was on Monday night on track to raise more than $3m this year, taking its total fundraising tally beyond $100m.

The federal government pledged a further $2m to support MND research.

The Fight MND charity was on Monday night on track to raise more than $3m this year. Picture: Michael Klein

Daniher thanked the public for digging deep, declaring their generosity would help ­researchers and give comfort to the more than 2000 Australians now living with MND.

“The Australian community has connected and resonated with the fight and the event has continued to grow,” he said.

“The sliders, the clubs and the AFL have joined us year on year, and while it is fundraising with fun, the reality is that there is still more to do.

“I’m very appreciative to everyone who has supported the cause this year and over the last 10 years. Thank you, not just for me but on behalf of all families affected with MND.”

The man dubbed “the Reverend” during his coaching days can no longer talk, or walk the entire route from Federation Square to the MCG pre-match as he once did.

But it did not stop him meeting thousands of Big Freeze disciples on their journeys along “Daniher’s Way” to the stadium.

Daniher, 63, smiled as proud daughter Bec declared him a “stubborn bastard” for – thankfully – still being around. He was ­diagnosed with MND in 2013. Average life expectancy is just 27 months after diagnosis.

While MND has robbed him of the strength to push celebrities down the slide, Daniher was there with a toothy grin as a motley crew of sporting greats took the icy plunge.

Neale Daniher was described by his daughter Bec as a ‘stubborn bastard’. Picture: David Caird

“Seeing the beanies on people’s heads on Big Freeze day at the mighty ’G is uplifting for me and my family, and so many people play a big role in that,” he said via eye recognition scribing technology.

“It is a special ground that has been home to our slide, and I am humbled by the way it has now been woven into the fabric of the King’s Birthday match.

“MND is a beast of a disease and we need your help to stop it, not necessarily for me, but for all others that follow me.”

Celebrity sliders embraced the rock star theme, channelling everyone from Pink to Peter Garrett and Bob Marley.

Tennis great Pat Rafter, dressed as AC/DC rocker Brian Johnson, said Daniher was bigger than football.

“His legacy is going to be this MND fight,” he said.

While the final tally is not expected for a week, this year’s fundraiser was set to eclipse last year’s previous best of $2.3m.

Essendon great Tim Watson had “no understanding of what MND was all about” 11 years ago when his close mate was diagnosed.

“It’s debilitating for him but at the same time because he’s lived for so long it’s been such a blessing for the fundraising and the awareness part of it because there has been a face to it,” he said.

Russell Robertson echoed calls by fellow former Demons star Jeff Farmer to properly honour Daniher. “He’s my Australian of the year,” he said. “I’m sure he’s yours as well.”

Today, two Aussies will die of MND and two more will be diagnosed.

Donate: fightmnd.org.au

$2m federal funding announcement

The Albanese government will bolster efforts to find a cure for motor neurone disease with a $2m investment to support innovative research projects.

The federal funding, announced during Neale Daniher’s iconic Big Freeze match on Monday, will provide a vital boost for the testing of potential medicines and treatments.

It will also increase collaboration and patient monitoring throughout clinical trials, in a bid to build knowledge about what causes the group of diseases that damage the nerve cells controlling muscles we use to speak, move and breath.

When the nerves eventually die, the muscles can no longer be activated, prompting them to gradually weaken and waste away.

Neale Daniher with senior Essendon players captain Zach Merritt, Darcy Parish, Sam Draper and Andrew McGrath. Picture: David Caird

Assistant Minister for Health Ged Kearney said two Australians were diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) every day.

“A key weapon in fighting MND is research,” she said. “Labor is proud to make this multimillion-dollar investment to support MND research.

“I urge everyone — put on a Big Freeze beanie. Show your support. Working together, we can defeat this beast.

Both Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton last month commended Neale Daniher for his incredible work to find a cure.

Assistant Minister for Health Ged Kearney with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Melbourne. Picture: Nicki Connolly

In a speech to the parliament, Mr Dutton described the former AFL player and coach as “an inspiration”, saying Daniher had been a man of action after receiving a MND diagnosis more than a decade ago.

“He has shown remarkable strength, courage and humility to put aside his own misfortune and dedicate his life to raising awareness, and importantly, raising money for MND research,” Mr Dutton said.

The Prime Minister joined Mr Dutton in praising Daniher, saying he was an “absolute hero” on and off the field.

“He has shown enormous strength and courage in speaking about MND and raising funds for MND and in organising the charitable events in order to provide more awareness and greater knowledge of this terrible disease,” Mr Albanese said.

FightMND campaigns director Bec Daniher said they were grateful for this “generous investment” from the federal government.

“These funds help us make targeted investments into cutting-edge projects as we continue to chase a cure to beat the beast that is MND,” she said.