The Big Freeze 7 was a record-breaking year for the fight against MND, raising more than $14 million for vital MND research and care.

Relive the fun and highlights from the Big Freeze 7 event.

DIY Big Freeze events have become almost as legendary as the Big Freeze at the ‘G thanks to wonderful supporters like Naomi Beasley who rally their community, have a ton of fun and raise important funds for FightMND.

Sharing her story with us, Naomi starts by explaining that her mother Lorna sadly lost her battle with MND in 2002. In her honour, Naomi decided to join the FightMND Army.

Naomi rallied her troops and created two fundraising teams. “Lorna’s Girls” which is made up of her and her girlfriends, and “Lorna’s Cobram Crew” which is led by Naomi’s two brothers and husband.

“Lorna’s Girls” started their fundraising journey with relatively small events, like movie nights, sausage sizzles and raffles, a “Big Night Out” and a “Ladies Day Out”.

Meanwhile “Lorna’s Cobram Crew” established an annual golf day, and quickly realised it was a great way to consistently raise funds and entice returning participants, year after year.

But the Big Freeze called, and together Naomi and her support teams took the plunge, called on their community, and founded the Echuca Moama Big Freeze. The inaugural event was hugely successful and brought their whole region together for a fabulous day that raised vital funds for MND research. They are already planning the next Echuca Moana Big Freeze and are aiming for it to become an annual event, just like the Big Freeze at the ‘G.

“In doing something for others we also brought our community together in fabulous social gatherings that allowed us to share a common goal of finding a cure for MND,” said Naomi.

“All of these events were not only enjoyable for our fundraising team, our local communities have also been very supportive of our events.”

When asked what she would say to anyone thinking about organising a fundraiser for FightMND Naomi says “Do it!”

Not only has she found fundraising for FightMND to be extremely rewarding from a personal perspective, knowing that she is providing hope to those living with MND and that one day there will be a cure for MND makes it even more worthwhile.

What made her most happy about fundraising for FightMND?

“It is most definitely the social side, seeing people come together to have a great fun time while raising much needed funds is so gratifying” says Naomi.

To find out how you can host your own DIY Big Freeze visit https://support.fightmnd.org.au/event/diy-bigfreeze/home

The Big Freeze is back for its seventh year, and we are so excited to make it bigger and better than ever. 

Sales of our iconic blue beanies were launched on Monday 10th May and we’ve already been blown away by the support and enthusiasm of the FightMND Army. 

This year we’re bringing in two main themes for our Big Freeze campaign; ‘Play On’, and ‘V.I.B.’- or ‘Very Important Beanie’.

We have all faced adversity in our lives, and ‘Play On’ speaks to the fact that in these situations we have the choice to surrender, or keep going. As Neale reaches a point in his battle with MND where he is no longer able to lead the charge, we’re asking our Army to take up the mantle and ‘Play On’ in his absence.

While some amazing progress has been made in our search for a cure, the fight is not yet over. MND isn’t finished and so we continue our quest to find a cure, We thank you for continuing to fight alongside us.

Our V.I.B. remains one of the best ways to support our cause – and this year we want to highlight just how important the seemingly simple act of buying a beanie is. They’re more than just something to keep your head warm, they’re a crucial step in raising funds to find treatment, and one day a cure for Motor Neurone Disease. Everyone who buys a V.I.B. is making a tangible difference. 

The beanies can be found at your local Coles, Coles Express or Bunnings – or via our website. Adult size beanies are still just $20, and we’ve also introduced a limited number of children’s beanies – retailing at $17.50 each (available exclusively at fightmnd.org.au). 

Share your beanie shot for a chance to win!

This year we’re holding our beanie competition again, giving you the chance to win AFL Grand Final tickets, as well as $500 vouchers for Coles and Bunnings. 

All you have to do is snap a pic in your ‘Play On’ beanie and share it on Instagram, making sure to tag @fightmnd #VIB #BigFreeze7 #PlayOnBF7 for your chance to win.

FightMND Instagram followers will vote on the winning shot, so be creative and have fun!

GRAND FINAL AFL AUTHORISATION CODE: GFAFL21/22