Neale Daniher set to celebrates 10 years of the Big Freeze at the G
Inspirational Neale Daniher has issued a new national call to arms as he prepares to celebrate 10 years of the MCG fundraiser he founded to fight “the beast” slowly killing him.
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Neale Daniher has issued a new national call to arms as he prepares to celebrate 10 years of the MCG fundraiser he founded to fight “the beast” slowly killing him.
A decade after gathering a bunch of high profile friends and celebrities to slide into an icy pool in the inaugural Big Freeze at the G, Daniher will incredibly return for the latest instalment next month.
Despite the average person diagnosed with MND living two to three years, the inspirational footy identity is determined as ever to build on the more than $97 million he has helped raised in hope of finding a cure.
In a statement to the Herald Sun, Daniher said it was “humbling” to mark the 10 year milestone and reflect on the “wonderful support” of the Australian public.
“I am thankful for that decade long community support, and the enthusiasm of all our sliders and partners – it is a blessing to still be around to see it all,’’ he said.
He hoped a new commemorative beanie to be released on Wednesday, ahead of Melbourne and Collingwood’s King’s Birthday clash and Big Freeze at the G, helped continue the fight.
“The 10 year beanie symbolises the fact that the fight is not over – every beanie purchased allows our researchers to get closer to a cure,’’ he said.
Fight MND has raised $85 million for research and $12 million to care for those suffering it under Daniher’s watch.
But he is not done yet.
“I’m asking all Australians to go again with us and thank you to everyone who’s actions by buying beanies and socks or simply donating speak louder than words,’’ he said.
“Together we can all do our bit to beat the beast”.
Essendon great Tim Watson – the first person to slide in a Big Freeze fundraiser – said the fact Daniher was still around for the event spoke volumes of his bravery and determination.
“Everyone has sort of been on a journey with him over the last 10 years and recognises what he’s doing and why he is doing it,’’ he said.
“He is a hero to so many people because he has dedicated so much of his life to being able to raise the awareness and raise the funds so that something might be done about it.
“He’s always known that it is never going to help him but it was always about what he could do to shine a light on this.’’
Daniher’s daughter Bec said: “When dad was diagnosed back in 2013, being told he had 27 months to live, we never would have conceived that he would still be here by our sides.
“Being such an important person in the fight – you would never anticipate that – so how lucky are we that he’s still with us?’’
While he has lost the ability to speak, Bec said the former Essendon star and Melbourne coach was still “leading from the front” and would have a big say in the sliders to be announced for the June 10 event.
“He won’t stop,’’ she said.
“For him to be going through an MND journey but to find the energy and perseverance and resilience to fight as hard as he does, it just makes us all stand up and want to be a part of it.
“He is coach, head of selection and has his finger in every pie, so all the sliders need to get the nod from Neale, and he has been heavily involved in the selection process.’’
Big Freeze 10 beanies will be sold at Coles, Bunnings, selected Coles Express stores and online at fightmnd.org.au from Wednesday.
To make the most of the 10 year Big Freeze anniversary, Big Freeze slide events will also take place at AFL matches in WA, Queensland and South Australia this year.
“MND doesn’t know borders so it’s really important to spread the word,’’ she said.
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Originally published as Neale Daniher set to celebrates 10 years of the Big Freeze at the G
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