Honouring loved ones through volunteering: Kerry Muratore’s family at the Big Freeze 

Each King’s Birthday, the MCG fills with the roar of Collingwood and Melbourne fans, but for Kerry Muratore and her three sons, 16-year-old Antonio, 13-year-old Marco and eight-year-old Mikey, the day is about more than football. Donning their blue Beanies and armed with donation tins, they join thousands of supporters in the FightMND Army, united in a mission to take a stand in the fight against the Beast that is motor neurone disease.  

For the Muratores, volunteering at the Big Freeze is deeply personal. Their mum and yiayia, Mandy, was diagnosed with bulbar onset MND in 2020. She passed away just 16 months later at 62 years of age. She left behind her husband Michael, Kerry and her brother Trifon, son-in-law John, daughter-in-law Dimi and five grandchildren. “We volunteer in her memory, and the hope that one day a cure is found, so other families don’t have to experience the Beast that is MND,” Kerry says.   

Volunteers leading the charge 

For Kerry, Antonio, Marco and Mikey, the Big Freeze is more than fundraising. It’s about honouring Mandy, being part of something meaningful and connecting with people who care. Every member takes something different away from the experience.  

Mikey loves the hands-on excitement. “I like selling Beanies at the MCG in June,” he says. “It is a good way to spread awareness about MND, with many people being at the MCG,” shares Marco. Antonio finds purpose in every interaction. “It helps bring awareness to MND and is a meaningful way for me to honour my yiayia,” he explains. Kerry reflects on the experience, “Honouring my mum and raising as much as possible for a great cause.” 

For the family, volunteering is deeply rewarding. When asked to sum up the experience in one word, Mikey says “good,” Marco calls it “enjoyable,” Antonio “meaningful,” and Kerry simply says “rewarding.” It’s a day that combines fun, connection, and purpose, where every beanie sold and every donation collected feels like a step toward making a real difference. 

A call to arms: encouraging others to sign up 

The Muratore family wants others to experience the same sense of reward that comes from helping at the Big Freeze. When asked what they would say to someone thinking about volunteering, Mikey encourages, “If you want to be a volunteer for MND, you need someone to shake the cans and sell the beanies. It’s lots of fun, so have a try.” Marco adds, “Try it, even if it’s one year, as you meet lots of new people and it’s a great experience.” Antonio and Kerry both agree: “Give it a go, it’s such a rewarding day doing something positive that has a lot of meaning to many people.” 

Become a volunteer during Big Freeze 12 

This Big Freeze 12, you can join Kerry, Antonio, Marco and Mikey in making a difference in the fight against MND. We have volunteering opportunities across the country. From selling Beanies to collecting donations to raising awareness, you can help FightMND strive for a world free from MND. Expressions of interest for volunteering at Big Freeze 12 are now open. Register your interest today and help us move closer to a future without MND.