From backyards to the MCG: Dr Josh Saunders’ Big Freeze journey
For Creswick GP Dr Josh Saunders, the road to the MCG Big Freeze slide didn’t begin under stadium lights, but in the quiet chaos of family fundraising. A bag of ice, a backyard kiddie pool and a determination to do something meaningful in the fight against motor neurone disease (MND).
On 8 June, that journey reaches a new milestone as he becomes the first-ever Big Freeze Community Slider at the MCG, stepping onto one of Australian sport’s biggest stages during the King’s Birthday clash. His involvement carries a deeply personal connection to MND and a strong sense of respect for the legacy of Neale Daniher, whose leadership helped turn a once silent fight into a national movement.
“It feels wild,” Josh reflects.
“It is such an amazing privilege to get to be involved in this event. Particularly poignant given the week that we’ve had with Neale’s passing. The impact of his legacy has really hit home.”
A fight close to home
The fight against MND is deeply personal for Josh and his family.
“MND runs in the family. This cause means everything to us.”
As a GP, Josh said this year’s FightMND campaign resonated strongly with him, particularly its focus on how many MND journeys begin quietly, in consultation rooms and private conversations long before they become public battles.
“As the campaign states, the fight against MND started well before the G,” he said. “It was in the quiet of a doctor’s office, and as a GP that obviously really hits home.”
He said Neale Daniher’s greatest achievement was bringing visibility and urgency to those deeply personal moments experienced by patients and families across the country.
“Thinking about how Neale brought this outside and made it loud is just astounding,” he said. “How hard is it to get 90,000 people behind anything? His ability to rally communities around this cause is unbelievable.”
Years of grassroots fundraising
The Big Freeze slide is the latest chapter in years of hands-on fundraising by the Saunders family.
Over the past few years, they have taken part in ice bucket challenges, a Big Freeze 10 family slide, lemonade stalls at Apollo Bay, and participation in the Great Ocean Road Running Festival.
In a family affair, all these efforts are connected through Bumblebee for MND, a grassroots initiative led by Ken and Kim Edmonson, Josh’s wife Jacinda’s aunt and uncle, that has become a travelling symbol of community fundraising and awareness.
In January this year, Ken and Kim reached a major milestone, surpassing $100,000 raised for FightMND through their ongoing work across events, communities and regional Australia.
For Josh, those efforts reflect the heart of the movement.
“People are universally kind and good,” he said. “If you connect with people and connect with the cause, incredible things happen.”
Preparing for the Big Freeze
While sliding in front of a packed MCG might sound daunting, Josh has been preparing at home with the help of two very enthusiastic coaches; his children Raff and Theo.
“We’ve done a couple of training runs at home,” he laughed. “I have two experts with over 10 years’ combined playground experience who are coaching me through sliding techniques.”
The preparations have also included plenty of ice-bucket conditioning sessions, with the children taking their role as trainers very seriously.
As for what costume he will wear on the day, Josh is staying tight-lipped.
“The theme this year is someone who inspires you, which I think is hugely important considering this last week with Neale’s passing.
From backyard efforts to the MCG
The Saunders family’s journey with FightMND began simply, but has grown steadily through connection, community and persistence.
“Our first Big Freeze was a bag of ice from the servo and a kiddie pool in the backyard,” Josh explains. “From there it’s just grown.”
Now, from local lemonade stalls to marathon courses along the Great Ocean Road, and from grassroots fundraising to the MCG stage, that journey continues.
And on 8 June, as 90,000 fans look on, Josh will slide not just as a participant in a spectacle, but as part of a much larger movement shaped by Neale Daniher’s enduring legacy and carried forward by families, friends and communities across Australia who Play On, for Neale.
Play On, for Neale
As Josh takes his place on the Big Freeze slide, he represents the thousands of families, friends and supporters carrying Neale Daniher’s legacy forward. Neale showed Australia what was possible when people come together behind a cause, helping drive vital investment into MND research and programs supporting Australians affected by MND.
The fight does not end here. Neale’s rally cry is louder now than ever, calling on all of us to continue the work he started with Pat Cunningham and Dr Ian Davis. Play On, for Neale. Donate by grabbing a Digital Beanie or buy a Beanie to show your support.
