The GIANTS have donned blue beanies at training in support of the Big Freeze 3 and the Fight MND Foundation.
The Big Freeze returns this year at the annual Queen’s Birthday clash in support of Neale Daniher’s efforts to raise money to find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.
The football world have got behind the cause again with the entire GIANTS squad training in Fight MND beanies on Thursday.
The club purchased 70 beanies this year, donating $1400 to the cause and will continue to support fundraising efforts across this week and going forward.
Coach Leon Cameron said the GIANTS were proud to band with the AFL community to support Fight MND.
“Neale was a huge contributor to the football landscape on the field throughout his playing and coaching career but his work over the past few years has been the most important of his life,” Cameron said.
“We’ve watched with awe at Neale’s courage and determination and are proud to do anything we can to support this exceptionally worthwhile cause.
“We encourage anyone who has the means to, to donate to Fight MND, or even just help raise awareness of this debilitating disease.”
The Big Freeze is hosted annually at the MCG on the Queen’s Birthday weekend and is the main fundraising event for Fight MND. They ‘freeze’ several well-known Australian personalities by sliding them into a giant pool of ice before the blockbuster Melbourne v Collingwood game on Monday.
The Fight MND foundation is a not-for-profit foundation established in 2014. They aim to raise the profile of Motor Neurone Disease within Australia and abroad.
It’s hoped that increased awareness may lead to not only better care for those affected by the disease, but also increased funding for vital research into finding a cure. Every 12 hours someone gets diagnosed with MND in Australia and every 12 hours someone dies.
About two Australians die a day from the disease, which progressively robs sufferers of the use of arms, legs and ability to speak, swallow and breathe but normally does not affect their mind and senses. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is 27 months.
The disease hit home for the footballing world when former Essendon champion and Melbourne Demons coach Neale Daniher was diagnosed with the disease in 2013.
Debuting for the Essendon Bombers in 1979, Neale is one of four brothers making up part of the Daniher football legacy. His football career, although dogged by injury, was well respected with Neale winning wide spread praise and accolades for his actions both on and off the field.
With no known cure for the disease, Daniher has set up the Fight MND Foundation and dedicated the remainder of his life to educating Australians about MND.
The GIANTS are proud to support this cause and help fight MND. Visit curemnd.org.au for more information and if you can, donate today.
