MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 10: Former AFL player, Nic Naitanui goes down the slide during the 2024 FightMND Big Freeze at Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 10, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)
This year we called on you to embody the words of our Co-founder and Patron, Neale Daniher and use your actions over your words. Don’t Say. Do.
And act you did! Thanks to your support, we’ve raised a record-breaking $20.1 million during Big Freeze 10.
This achievement would not be possible without the incredible generosity of our partners, supporters, suppliers and the Australian community.
We recognise that many Australians are doing it tough right now. To everyone who dug deep and purchased a Beanie, a sweater or pair of socks, or who donated generously throughout Big Freeze 10, thank you. Your support has helped make this our biggest result ever!
Our Programs team is working hard to invest these funds into vital MND cure and care initiatives. We look forward to sharing more information about these initiatives with you when we announce our grants later in 2024.
The funds raised during Big Freeze 10 adds to the $97 million FightMND has invested into vital MND cure and care initiatives. Our Impact page has more information about how your support has made a read difference in research outcomes and improving the lives of people impacted by MND.
Ten years of the Big Freeze is truly a milestone. As we reflect on the blows we’ve made to the Beast together, we recognise that the job is not over. This was never a battle that was going to be won in a sprint. We still have work to do, and we need your help to do it.
Stay tuned over the coming months more information about Daniher’s Drive and, of course, Big Freeze 11. We hope that you can continue to join us in the fight against the Beast that is MND.
Now, while Melbourne and Collingwood gear up for their King’s Birthday clash, 9 celebrities are preparing to take the icy plunge – all in the aim of raising vital funds for MND research.
To be a Slider is deemed an honour. At FightMND, we’re for thankful to all those who have braved the icy conditions to help raise funds and awareness for this important cause. As the event grows, we continue to see our celebrities lift the bar on the costume front – with many asking, ‘What is your costume this year?’. For many, Nick Riewoldt’s Freddie Mercury is the most memorable. The question is, will his cousin Jack take his costume crown? Only time will tell!
Each year there has been standouts. For right or wrong reasons. In the spirt of ‘10’ here are 10 of our highlights. What’s yours?
Sam Newman’s’ Mankini in year one as he showed his wares to the world.
Mick Molloy plunging headfirst and surviving.
Sharelle McMahon shaking off the cold to nail a goal post slide.
Nathan Buckley as firefighter Murray Swinton, who was living with MND.
Luke Beveridge surfing the slide standing up.
The double act of Christian Petracca/Angus Brayshaw as Happy Gilmore and caddy.
Gillon McLachlan’s Meatloaf, served with a touch of satire.
Neale’s loyal demon skipper David Neitz as Braveheart.
Ash Barty’s full body Rafiki from Lion King.
Mick Fanning as the body painted Silver Surfer.
The Big Freeze is, and always has been, a time for us to laugh in the face of the Beast. To push MND into the spotlight. To show the world that the fight for a cure is on – and we’re not backing down.
This year the Big Freeze turns a milestone 10 years. Traditionally milestones are an opportunity to celebrate. But for FightMND, this milestone is about recognising that the job is not over, and that more needs to be done.
This fight against the Beast was never going to be won in a sprint. We still have work to do, and we need your help to do it.
Help us reach $3 million by Monday
You (yes you, wearing your Beanie with pride) answered the call 10 years ago. Your support has helped us build a movement that reaches every corner of Australia. You’ve helped us freeze the nation.
Thanks to you, FightMND has been able to invest in a solid research foundation. This investment is enabling MND research in Australia to be competitive and world-leading in driving a pathway to better treatment and a cure for MND.
But our fight is far from over. We’re now at basecamp and we need your help to get to the summit.
Three million can go a long way to funding vital cure and care initiatives. Three million dollars can be used to help develop and maintain National MND Care Guidelines so that people living with MND can access the same care no matter where they live. Or it can be used to fund 3 Discovery projects to help unlock the causes of MND.
Keep doing. Keep fighting. Donate today and help us reach our $3 million target.
Big Freeze 8 beanies are now on sale at Coles, Coles Express and Bunnings stores nationwide and online at fightmnd.org.au.
Neale Daniher is calling on people in every corner of Australia to Beanie On, Play On at the launch of FightMND’s annual fundraiser, the Big Freeze 8, today.
FightMND Patron and co-founder Neale Daniher AO, who himself is fighting Motor Neurone Disease (MND) was joined by his family at the MCG to celebrate the reveal of this year’s popular Big Freeze beanie.
Now in its eighth year, the annual campaign sets out to raise awareness as well as vital funds to find effective treatments and a cure for MND.
As MND takes away Neale’s ability to be the voice of the campaign, this year serves as an emotive call to arms for all Australians to help lead the fight against this Beast of a disease.
“As the beast takes away my ability to be the voice of this fight, this year, more than ever, I’m calling on all Australians to come together, play on and help lead the fight against MND – with actions, not words,” Neale Daniher said.
“MND is relentless but so are we. By proudly wearing a Big Freeze Beanie, you’re joining an unstoppable army, united in their determination to fight back and marching as one towards a cure.
Together I know we can defeat this Beast. It’s time to Beanie On, Play On.”
All funds raised through the sale of Big Freeze 8 beanies as well as 10 cents from every Coles Brand Australian Pork product and 20 cents from every Coles Free Range Pork product sold until 21 June will be invested in cutting-edge research projects focused on driving discoveries towards a cure as well as care for those living with MND.
The six-week campaign will culminate with a huge celebration on the Queen’s Birthday public holiday (13 June) at the annual Big Freeze match between the Collingwood Football Club and Melbourne Football Club at the MCG.
The celebration will include the much-loved celebrity slide, see the return of the March to the G’ for the first time since 2019 and global musical act Vance Joy.
FightMND CEO Dr. Fiona McIntosh recognised the important role of the Australian public in their ongoing enthusiasm for the Big Freeze and the famous blue beanies.
“We know it will take people to defeat this Beast and it’s only thanks to the generosity of our supporters and committed partners in Coles and Bunnings, that we are able to make a real impact for people living with MND,” Dr McIntosh said.
“Every beanie 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 for this devastating disease.”
When you put on a Big Freeze beanie, you’re stepping up and playing on for Neale and everyone that has been diagnosed with this horrible disease. You’re showing people living with MND that you are with them and that you care.”
FightMND Campaigns Director, Bec Daniher also flagged her excitement at being able to celebrate the Big Freeze in front of tens of thousands of passionate AFL fans for the first time in three years.
“While MND is a brutal disease, we still need to find time for moments to laugh and cherish our time together, which is what the Big Freeze is all about,” Ms Daniher said.
“We might be opposing teams on the field, but when it comes to the fight against the Beast, the Big Freeze shows that we’re all on the same team, united in our goal – a world without MND.”
AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan said he is looking forward to seeing football fans at a packed MCG on the Queen’s Birthday public holiday.
“It’s always so inspiring to look out across the MCG to a sea of the Big Freeze beanies being worn by football fans during the much-anticipated Melbourne and Collingwood clash.
The important work that FightMND does with the help of the broader football community and fans continues to grow year on year and as an organisation we couldn’t be prouder to put our beanies on and play on,” Mr McLachlan said.
The famous, blue, Big Freeze beanies cost $25 and are available for purchase nationally at your local Coles, Coles Express, Bunnings and via fightmnd.org.au.
Kids’ beanies are also available exclusively online via the FightMND website.
FightMND’s partners are integral to the success of the Big Freeze campaign and help ensure that it’s easy to join the fight against the Beast.
Coles Chief Operations Officer Matt Swindells said Coles was delighted to be selling beanies in its Coles Supermarkets and Coles Express stores again this year.
“Coles has been a proud partner of FightMND for the past five years and we’re delighted to once again support this important cause with the help of our customers, pork farmers and team members,” he said.
“With an average of two Australians diagnosed with MND every day, it’s a cause that has been very close to many of our customers and team members. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to be a part of the FightMND Army and to help make a genuine difference to the people and families impacted by this horrible disease.”
Bunnings Director of Operations, Ryan Baker said that Bunnings was excited to be supporting the Big Freeze campaign for the fourth year running.
“Our team and customers continue to get behind the campaign year after year, proudly donning their beanies to support the fight against the Beast.
We’re humbled to be a part of the FightMND Army and look forward to coming together for Big Freeze 8 to ‘Beanie On, Play On’ and help raise vital funds and awareness for MND,” Mr Baker said.
Purchase your Big Freeze beanie or make a donation and help find a cure for MND.
