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Anger as Carrie Bickmore’s brain cancer appeal clashes with one for motor neurone disease

AFTER Carrie Bickmore copped backlash following a shocking start to her cancer appeal, rival presenter Sylvia Jeffreys has come to her defence.

Andrew KoubaridisAndrew Koubaridis
@akoubaridis
3 min read
June 13, 2017 - 8:46PM
Carrie Bickmore lashed for launching her brain cancer appeal on the same day as the Big Freeze

THE Project star Carrie Bickmore has been lashed online for launching her beanie cancer appeal on the same day as a near identical fundraiser.

Following a night of backlash — which saw one fan write Bickmore was becoming as “arrogant” as Waleed Aly for the date clash — Today presenter Sylvia Jeffreys from rival network Nine has come to Bickmore’s defence.

Bickmore and her co-hosts spent two segments of the popular Network Ten show on Monday night discussing the Carries Beanies 4 Brain Cancer appeal — including references to her late husband, who died of the disease, and an emotional story about a young girl who had been struck down with the devastating illness.

Bickmore and her co-hosts Waleed Aly and Gretel Killeen also wore the beanies throughout the show, with Bickmore plugging it even as the credits rolled.

But it’s the decision to launch the appeal on the same day as the Big Freeze at the MCG, which saw sales of iconic blue beanies in support of research into motor neurone disease, that has upset many people.

The Big Freeze 3 is an annual fundraiser by Fight MND that ‘freezes’ Australian personalities — including former tennis world number one Lleyton Hewitt — by sliding them into a giant ice pool before the blockbuster Queen’s Birthday AFL match between Melbourne and Collingwood at the MCG.

The timing of Bickmore’s appeal didn’t impress many viewers who posted scathing comments on social media. Most were in support of what she was trying to do, but asked why it couldn’t have waited at least another day as the “Big Freeze at the G”.

One angry tweet read: “you guys seriously trying to undermine Neale Daniher? Get your own beanie day. Support your cause but f*** let him shine.”

Another said:

“Channel 10 vs Channel 7, Beanies vs Beanies, Brain cancer vs MND”

Daniher is an AFL legend who coached the Melbourne Demons who were playing in today’s blockbuster versus Collingwood.

“We need to give more money to researchers in Australia so they can create treatments here in Australia so families aren’t having to go to Mexico to try and save their child’s life. If the government’s not going to pour money into it, we will have to, I will have to, and people, when they diagnosed with cancer, they need hope,” Bickmore said on tonight’s show.

“You are not given hope with brain cancer and hope is what makes you beat cancer. It is what gives you the strength.”

More than $2 million was raised for motor neurone disease research at the Big Freeze. Retired Test opener Adam Gilchrist, champion marathon runner Steve Moneghetti basketball champion Andrew Gaze and former Australian netball captain Sharelle McMahon were also submerged in the icy water.

Following the criticism, Today presenter Sylvia Jeffreys from rival network Nine wrote an article “saluting” Bickmore.

“I’ll think you’ll find there is enough generosity in the hearts of Australians to appreciate the worthiness of all these causes,” she wrote on Honey. “We’re good at giving in this country. So there’s no need to give a toss about the dates.”

Bickmore’s appeal began on Monday with her website already boasting of selling out of some styles of beanies — and inviting people to put their names down for next year — while spruiking a draw for a luxury car.

“The day has finally come! You can now officially order your beanies. Order yours today and you’ll go into the draw to win a Mercedes-Benz A180, kindly donated by our friends at Mercedes-Benz Toorak” a message on the website signed by Bickmore reads.

It continued: “Alternatively, you can pre-register your interest in next year’s beanies to get in first in 2018! I’m sure it will be worth the wait. We thank you so much for all of your support, I’m truly humbled by Australia’s overwhelming response. The foundation is run by volunteers who do all they can to support brain cancer and we thank you for joining them in being so generous.”

Most of the tweets acknowledged Bickmore’s great work in cancer fundraising, they just questioned the timing of the appeal launch.

In response to one viewer’s tweet, The Project tweeted back a link to a story the show did last week on the Big Freeze.

But fans of Bickmore’s have responded in support of the Gold Logie winner.

Kelly Demicoli posted on news.com.au’s Facebook page: “ ‘FFS leave her alone. She was talking about it last week, but her beanies have only just arrived in stock and today is the first day back on the project since they came in’

Carolynn Eccles posted: “It’s not a competition, it’s raising money for medical research!” while

Jonathan Hair wrote: ‘WHO CARES!! It was bound to happen when similar cancer appeals are on the same day. Get off ya high horses and donate to both ... GEEZ!!!’

Network Ten have been approached for comment.

Adam Gilchrist (left) and Neale Daniher participate in Big Freeze 3 before the Round 12 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Collingwood Magpies. Picture: AAP
Adam Gilchrist (left) and Neale Daniher participate in Big Freeze 3 before the Round 12 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Collingwood Magpies. Picture: AAP
Neale Daniher and Melbourne fans walking before Big Freeze 3 at the MCG. Picture: Mark Stewart.
Neale Daniher and Melbourne fans walking before Big Freeze 3 at the MCG. Picture: Mark Stewart.
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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/anger-as-carrie-bickmores-brain-cancer-appeal-clashes-with-appeal-for-motor-neurone-disease/news-story/8cf6044644e623406735b7264e253c6b