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Stars slide for the Big Freeze 3 to raise money to fight MND at the MCG

SEE the wet and wild pictures of Australian sporting royalty taking the plunge for the Big Freeze 3 at the MCG, raising money for the fight against motor neurone disease.

Peter Rolfe
less than 2 min read
June 12, 2017 - 1:18PM
Gold medal champion aerial skier Alisa Camplin is no stranger to the cold. Pic: Michael Klein
Gold medal champion aerial skier Alisa Camplin is no stranger to the cold. Pic: Michael Klein

AUSSIE sporting champions renowned for their fighting spirit showed ice-cold courage to support one of football’s bravest fighters at the MCG yesterday.

The stars propelled themselves into a pool of freezing water on a Melbourne winter’s day in support of Neale Daniher’s Big Freeze 3 to fight MND.

The former Essendon star may have been dealt one of life’s toughest hands in being ­diagnosed with deadly motor neurone disease, but he was all smiles yesterday.

His biggest grin was saved for the procession of sporting greats who began sliding into a pool of more than 600 ­buckets of ice.

To donate to Fight MND, text ‘Freeze’ to 0429 000 333 visit www.fightmnd.org.au

READ MORE: NEALE’S BATTLE WITH THE BEAST

Tennis legend Lleyton ­Hewitt gave his Davis Cup jacket to Daniher before giving his trademark “C’mon” catchcry as he slide into the 1.4C water.

Basketball star Andrew Gaze wore the suit he donned as flag bearer for the 2000 Olympics. “It means nothing now,’’ he joked. “I’m freezing.’’

Andrew Gaze goes for an icy slide at the MCG

Cricket great Adam Gilchrist — in a dolphin suit and Aussie one-day uniform as a nod to spin king Shane Warne and his trademark flipper — described his pool entry as breathtaking’. “We used to put beer in the ice here,’’ he said of his warmer Boxing Day Test days at the MCG.

“This is a little bit different than the Winter Olympics,’’ said speed skating gold medallist Steven Bradbury, sliding down the ramp headfirst.

Winter Olympic golden girl Alisa Camplin also had her breath taken away by the icy depths and by the time marathon man Steve Moneghetti hit the slide, the fundraising count was more than $4.5 million.

Netball great Sharelle McMahon paused in the pool to nail a first-time shot while dressed as a superhero.

Andrew Gaze in his 2000 Sydney Olympics uniform taking a dip. Picture: Mark Stewart
Andrew Gaze in his 2000 Sydney Olympics uniform taking a dip. Picture: Mark Stewart
Big Freeze 3 at the MCG — Andrew Gaze. Picture: Mark Stewart
Big Freeze 3 at the MCG — Andrew Gaze. Picture: Mark Stewart
No hands for Alisa Camplin as the Olympic gold medallist plunges into the water. Picture: Mark Stewart
No hands for Alisa Camplin as the Olympic gold medallist plunges into the water. Picture: Mark Stewart
Adam Gilchrist gets creative with his costume, taking the on the Big Freeze dressed as Shane Warne’s flipper. Picture: Michael Klein
Adam Gilchrist gets creative with his costume, taking the on the Big Freeze dressed as Shane Warne’s flipper. Picture: Michael Klein
Cricket champ Adam Gilchrist hits the icy pool. Picture: Mark Stewart
Cricket champ Adam Gilchrist hits the icy pool. Picture: Mark Stewart
Former Vixens captain Sharelle McMahon shoots a goal and celebrates before getting out of the ice. Picture: Michael Klein
Former Vixens captain Sharelle McMahon shoots a goal and celebrates before getting out of the ice. Picture: Michael Klein
Gold medallist Steve Hooker is no stranger to pole vault. Picture: Mark Stewart
Gold medallist Steve Hooker is no stranger to pole vault. Picture: Mark Stewart
But few vaults would have ended so coldly for Steve Hooker. Picture: Mark Stewart
But few vaults would have ended so coldly for Steve Hooker. Picture: Mark Stewart
Steven Bradbury, dressed as Warwick Capper, is ready to plunge. Picture: Michael Klein
Steven Bradbury, dressed as Warwick Capper, is ready to plunge. Picture: Michael Klein
Steven Bradbury hits the water hard. Picture: Mark Stewart
Steven Bradbury hits the water hard. Picture: Mark Stewart
Steve Moneghetti making a splash at the Big Freeze 3. Picture: Mark Stewart
Steve Moneghetti making a splash at the Big Freeze 3. Picture: Mark Stewart
Steve Moneghetti bobs up in the suit Cathy Freeman made famous at the Sydney Olympics. Picture: Michael Klein
Steve Moneghetti bobs up in the suit Cathy Freeman made famous at the Sydney Olympics. Picture: Michael Klein
Lleyton Hewitt says ‘c’mon’ after surfacing. Picture: Michael Klein
Lleyton Hewitt says ‘c’mon’ after surfacing. Picture: Michael Klein
The tennis great proudly representing his Adelaide Crows. Picture: Michael Klein
The tennis great proudly representing his Adelaide Crows. Picture: Michael Klein
Melbourne supporters gather at Federation Square before walking to the MCG for the Big Freeze 3. Picture: Mark Stewart
Melbourne supporters gather at Federation Square before walking to the MCG for the Big Freeze 3. Picture: Mark Stewart

SPORTS STARS BAND TOGETHER TO FIND CURE FOR MND

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO MATCH PUBLIC MND DONATIONS

The Big Freeze 3 will raise money and awareness for the fight against motor neuron disease. Picture: Mark Stewart
The Big Freeze 3 will raise money and awareness for the fight against motor neuron disease. Picture: Mark Stewart
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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/stars-slide-for-the-big-freeze-3-to-raise-money-to-fight-mnd-at-the-mcg/news-story/a359092ec3d669c47712a970d726c30c