As the winter chill sets in, regional communities from across Australia are being called to Beanie On, Play On and help find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
As MND takes away football legend and FightMND Patron Neale Daniher’s ability to be the voice of the fight, this year’s Big Freeze campaign serves as an emotive call to arms for all Australians to stand up and lead “with action, not words”.
FightMND Campaigns Director Bec Daniher recognized the important role that Australia’s close-knit regional communities continue to play in helping raise awareness and vital funds for MND research.
“Now more than ever, we’re calling on all Australians to rally together, play on and help lead the fight against MND – with actions, not words,” Ms Daniher said.
“For years, regional communities in every corner of Australia have proudly rallied with us – from buying Big Freeze beanies to hosting their own DIY Big Freeze and Sockit2MND fundraisers – and this year is proving to be no different.
“MND is relentless and so are we. By purchasing a Big Freeze beanie or a pair of Sockit2MND socks, you’re joining an unstoppable army, united in their determination to fight back, not just for Neale, but for all people impacted by this devastating disease.”
“Every beanie or pair of socks sold takes us closer to a cure and helps give hope to people with MND – hope that one day, there will be effective treatments or a cure,” Ms Daniher added.
Big Freeze 8 beanies are now available for sale at Coles supermarkets, Coles Express fuel stations and Bunnings stores nationwide or online at fightmnd.org.au for $25, with all proceeds going towards FightMND.
Sockit2MND socks are also available online at fightmnd.org.au for $15 and can be purchased by sporting clubs, schools, workplaces, or community groups looking to rally their community around this important cause.
Funds raised through the Big Freeze are invested in cutting-edge research projects focused on fast-tracking new MND treatments and driving discoveries towards a cure.
The campaign will culminate with a huge celebration on the Queen’s Birthday public holiday (13 June) at the Big Freeze match between the Collingwood Football Club and Melbourne Football Club at the MCG.
The celebration will include the much-loved Big Freeze celebrity slide, a performance by global musical act and hometown hero Vance Joy and see the return of the March to the G’ for the first time since 2019.
This week has also seen Ash Barty and Rhonda Burchmore revealed as the first two Big Freeze sliders, with other sliders to be revealed over the coming week.
