Neale Daniher, diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2013, opens up on his ‘relentless’ fight

Footy great Neale Daniher has lost his voice but is determined to lead the fight against motor neurone disease with actions ahead of the Big Freeze fundraiser.

Former Essendon and Melbourne coach Neale Daniher says he is as relentless as ever in his fight against motor neurone disease, despite the toll it is taking on his body.

Daniher, who has been fighting the disease he calls “the Beast” for eight years, and who has lost the ability to talk, on Wednesday unveiled this year’s Big Freeze 8 beanies alongside his family, about a month ahead of the star-studded annual fundraiser at the MCG.

“As the beast takes away my ability to be the voice of this fight, this year, more than ever, I’m calling on everyone to come together, play on and help lead the fight against MND – with actions, not words,” he said.

“MND is relentless but so are we.”

Neale Daniher with his six-month-old granddaughter Billie. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The beanies will be on sale at Coles, Coles Express, Bunnings and FightMND.org.au from today until the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, when AFL identities and celebrities will take the plunge into an ice pool at a packed MCG when Melbourne takes on Collingwood.

The initiative has so far raised more than $50m for research into a cure and treatment for the disease.

Daniher said everyone who showed their support for the cause by wearing a beanie was “joining an unstoppable army, united in their determination to fight back and marching as one towards a cure”.

The royal blue, knitted-style beanie was carefully designed almost a year ago, with the FightMND logo more prominent now than in previous years.

Work will soon be underway to craft next year’s beanie for the Big Freeze 9.

Neale Daniher with his wife Jan and daughters Bec Daniher and Lauren Daniher and grandchildren Billie and Rosie. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Daniher’s daughter, Bec Daniher, encouraged all Australians to “beanie on” and “play on” to join the fight against MND.

“While dad has shown great courage to lead the fight, he can no longer be the voice of the fight,” she said.

“So I’d like to ask the Australian community to stand with me. It’s our time to lead the fight.

“It’s our time to make a difference.

“It’s our time to be the voice of the fight against MND.”

Ms Daniher added her family were thrilled to be able to welcome a crowd back to the MCG to watch the “sliders” take the plunge.

“We all know dad loves a crowd,” she said.

“And I know dad is so excited … to see the Big Freeze back at a packed MCG.”

Motor neurone disease typically takes away a person’s ability to breathe in less than three years, and Ms Daniher said she was inspired by her father’s continuing determination to fight the disease.

“In 2013, when he was diagnosed, we didn’t think we’d still have him by our side,” she said.

“That really inspires us to get out each and every day and do what we can to help him.”

Neale Daniher with daughter Bec Daniher and grandson Billie. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Ms Daniher said she hoped this year’s fundraising efforts would top the record-setting $14.6m raised last year.

“The footy community does rally around it, but we’re seeing it go beyond footy as well,” she said.

“Every time I see a Big Freeze beanie it really just touches a part of my heart that we’ve got this support.

“We’re really heading towards finding a treatment and a cure.

“This isn’t possible without an army of people backing us.”

Ms Daniher said she hoped to see a “blue sea of beanies” watching celebrities take the plunge at the MCG.

“We might be opposing teams on the field, but when it comes to the fight against the Beast, the Big Freeze shows that we’re all on the same team, united in our goal – a world without MND.

“We are working around the clock because I don’t want anyone else to through what we as a family have gone through and what I know so many Australians are going through currently.”