Daniher an ‘inspiration’ in his fight against motor neurone disease

Thousands of Aussie rules fans have gathered to watch their sporting heroes and celebrities dive into an ice bath to support money in the battle against motor neurone disease.

Ex Australian cricketer Justin Langer. Picture: Getty Images

Thousands of Aussie rules fans packed out the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday, doning blue beanies to cheer on a host of sporting legends and celebrities as they plunged into an ice bath to raise money in the fight against motor neurone disease.

Recently retired tennis champion Ash Barty, comedian Hamish Blake and former Carlton player Eddie Betts were among the 10 to slide into freezing water during the AFL’s annual Big Freeze charity event in honour of former player and coach Neale Daniher, who was diagnosed with MND in 2013.

Hamish Blake goes down the slide during the 2022 AFL Round 13 match. Picture: Getty Images

Daniher lost his ability to talk from the disease he has called “the beast”, but that didn’t stop him from supporting each icon with a hug in the lead-up to the Melbourne Demons match against the Collingwood Magpies.

The crowd roared as Australian Open champion Barty, dressed as Rafiki from the Lion King, approached the top of the slide. Swapping Rod Laver Arena for the ‘G, she said she was proud to bring awareness to Daniher’s fight against MND and supported his resolve to help find a cure.

“This is just the most beautiful day for the right reasons,” she told the crowd of about 70,000. “(We are) bringing awareness to something that is so important. (Daniher) is an inspiration to all of us. The way he fights, continues to fight … what more is there to say.”

Blake dressed as Frozen’s Elsa, complete with blonde wig and a pair of shorts underneath his blue dress donated by Demon’s captain Max Gawn, said it was an honour to help raise money at the Big Freeze — even after suffering a costume malfunction post dip.

Jakarta Anthony. Picture: Getty Images

Ash Barty. Picture: Getty Images

Dressed as Crocodile Dundee Terry Daniher, Neale’s oldest of four brothers and seven sisters, said he made the plunge for Neale. “What a great day. Look at all these blue beanies,” he said. “(Neale) has got a lot of good friends around him. Keep supporting us ladies and gentlemen.”

The remaining sliders to participate in the eighth annual Big Freeze included Carlton great Betts, who dressed as the Black Panther; entertainer Rhonda Burchmore, who sported flaming red hair as superhero Poison Ivy; commentator Andy Maher as Radar from M*A*S*H; and Olympic athlete Jakara Anthony, who dressed as Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games.

FightMND achieved its goal of raising $2m by half-time, with the Victorian government donating $250,000 to the cause.