Beanies, brainpower and BIG moments – 2024 in review
As 2024 comes to an end, the FightMND team is hitting rewind and reliving some of our favourite moments from the year that was. From the Big Freeze to getting out to the community for DIY Big Freeze and Daniher’s Drive, we’ve shared some special moments with you all.
Freeze the Day: DIY Big Freeze brings the cold to communities across Australia
For Big Freeze 10, we asked you to let your actions speak louder than their words. Don’t say. Do.
And wow, did you deliver!
From sports clubs to schools, workplaces to backyards, Aussies from Broome to Brisbane took the DIY Freeze challenge to a whole new level, bringing the Big Freeze to their communities with style and creativity. Some of you went all in – donning your Beanies and Socks for the Big Freeze 10 community round. Others decided to do their own icy challenge with a twist. One thing’s for sure—you all know how to bring the chill!
Our team loved seeing the wild, fun, and totally unique ways you helped in the battle against the Beast. We can’t wait to see what kind of freezing fun you’ll bring for Big Freeze 11 in 2025!
Australia gets frosty! State Freezes turn up the chill factor
In 2024, we set out to freeze the nation like never before – with epic state freezes in WA, SA, and Queensland! And wow, did each state bring their A-game. Shoutout to Michael Hussey for bringing Kenough magic to the WA Freeze!
Another highlight for the team is our first-ever SA Freeze with the Adelaide Crows! A frosty, fun-packed event that brought the whole community together.
The FightMND team would like to extend a huge thanks to the Adelaide Crows, West Coast Eagles, and the Brisbane Lions (hello, reigning Premiers!) for helping us take the Big Freeze across the country.
Hold tight, because the State Freeze is making a comeback in 2025! More chills are on the way—keep an eye out for what’s next!
Nine sliders. One blockbuster freeze. Big Freeze 10 faces the Beast head on!
Big Freeze 10 at the ‘G’ was an event for the ages, as nine bold sliders brought their wildest alter egos to life and took the icy plunge like rockstars!
Nic Naitanui brought two for the price of one, starting out as the iconic Bob Marley before channelling the classic film Cool Runnings. Golden girl Sally Pearson transformed into the ultimate material girl, Madonna. While James Brayshaw traded Paradise City for icy November Rain as Guns N’ Roses frontman, Axl Rose.
Cricket legend Meg Lanning hit us for six as Tina Turner – simply the best indeed! While Joel Selwood channelled Robbie Williams, proving there’s no better man to take the plunge. While Mack Horton showed us why he was King of the Mountain and king of the slide as Peter Garrett.
Jack Riewoldt kept the energy high with Mr Brightside, Erin Phillips pumped up the crowd as P!nk, and Pat Rafter left us Thunderstruck as AC/DC’s Brian Johnson.
And of course, the real stars were YOU—decked out in your Beanies, creating an ocean of blue at the MCG. Whether you were cheering for the Demons or the Magpies, you made it clear: you’re standing strong in the fight against the Beast.
FightMND’s Global MND Research Roundtable: where brilliant minds unite
In August 2024, we hosted the very first Global MND Research Roundtable in Melbourne. Experts from around the world came together to tackle some of the toughest challenges in MND research. The event focused on understanding the causes of MND, improving diagnosis through biomarkers, and creating better classification methods. Delegates collaborated on solutions, with a strong emphasis on harmonisation and standardisation to unite global research efforts.
Check out our most recent article to learn more about what we’ve been working on since the Roundtable and what’s coming up in the coming year.
Magic and memories: fairytale fun lights up Lorne at the Daniher’s Drive finale
In October, 250 amazing participants hit the road for Daniher’s Drive, and what a ride it was! The Drive is always close to our hearts – it’s our chance to hit the open road, connect with others, and of course, put the FUN in FUNdraising!
And the grand finale? A fairytale for the ages! Our Drive family became legendary (and a few hilariously quirky) fairytale characters for a night that was nothing short of magical!
This year’s Drive raised over $2 million for vital MND research and care. This incredible achievement is thanks to our Drive family, the generosity of the Aussie community, and our amazing partners. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!
More than $18 million invested to supercharge MND research and Care programs
In 2024 FightMND invested more than $18 million into MND research and care projects. This marks a major milestone in our decade-long journey, pushing our total funding to an incredible $115 million since we began.
This year, we’re proudly supporting 25 innovative research projects, from cutting-edge drug development to diving deep into the mysteries of MND. We’re also backing 10 vital Care initiatives, providing critical support for Australians living with and affected by MND. 2024 also marked the presentation of the first Dr Ian Davis AO Award for research excellence.
Each project and initiative brings us one step closer to unlocking effective treatments and, one day, a cure for this devastating disease. Curious to learn more about the amazing work being done? Check out our News section to discover the incredible projects that received funding this year.
Thank you for all your support in 2024!
It has been another huge year in the fight against the Beast.
To everyone who volunteered, hosted a DIY event, participated in a Community Round, hit the road with us for Daniher’s Drive, purchased a pair of socks, bought a Beanie and donated throughout 2024 – thank you.
It takes people to win this fight. Everything we have achieved this year has been thanks to you. Your support helps researchers continue their efforts to find better treatments, and one day a cure, for MND. But, more than that, your support show those living with MND, their families and their carers that they are not alone in this fight.
While we have come a long way in this fight, there is still a long way to go. So, we keep fighting. Keep working towards our vision of a world free of MND.
We go again.