The Beast. Two words Neale Daniher uses to describe the disease which has changed his life, as well as the lives of others affected by the disease. However, those who are living with this illness; and those who will get the disease, have been presented with a glimmer of hope for the future. This can be attributed to the determined and extraordinary work from Daniher, who continues to contribute to finding a cure for this disease.  

Indeed, I am referring to Motor Neurone Disease (MND), which is a rapidly progressing, neurological disease affecting a person's motor neurons. These cells control the voluntary muscles of the body and victims of MND will generally be affected in their ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe.

 

The Beast Healthy Damaged Neuron v2

Featured: Healthy and damaged neuron (MND)

After being diagnosed with MND in 2013, Daniher decided to courageously take matters into his own hands and soon became the vice chairman of the Cure for MND Foundation. The annual campaign ‘The Big Freeze’ was created in light of this, to contribute to funding paramount research in the quest to find a cure. 

'The Big Freeze at the G' sees celebrities, as well as past and current AFL players of the game, slide into ice-cold water. Since beginning the campaign, a substantial amount of money has been raised to contribute towards discovering new treatments and a cure for the disease.

AHG Walk G Freeze G The Beast

Featured: David Neitz, Todd Viney, Neale Daniher participating in the AHG Walk to the G.

The Big Freeze 3 unfolds later today, an Australian public holiday celebrating the Queen’s Birthday clash between Melbourne Football Club and Collingwood Football Club at the MCG on Monday, 12 June, 2017. The campaign has boasted great success, since launched two years prior. It is set to make a big impact again this year!

The match begins at 3:20pm but some of Australia’s best known sporting personalities will ‘break the ice’ and freeze for MND from 2:00pm at the MCG.

Breaking the ice doesn’t have to start at the G... If you would like to warm up before the Big Freeze 3, ensure you make your way down to Federation Square by 12:30pm on Monday for the AHG Walk to the G. This will give you the opportunity to see some special guests appear on stage and be in the frontline for some great giveaways. You will then embark on a walking journey from Federation Square to the MCG departing at 1:45pm, rallying behind the legend himself, Neale Daniher.

 

AFL Rd 12 Melbourne Collingwood The Beast The Big Freeze 2.jpg

Featured: Cameron Ling participating in last years Big Freeze at the G

If you would like to donate or purchase a beanie, please go to https://fightmnd.org.au/. All money raised will go towards research to find a cure for MND. Let's all FIGHT MND, it takes people. 

FIGHT MND The Beast v2

Elisa Ringeri

As part of the Rookie Me team, Elisa is passionate about all things AFL; and is always keeping on top of any news to hit the AFL scene.
Elisa has completed her bachelor degree in Exercise and Sport Science and has been involved in numerous football clubs.

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Article References
  • Image and content: Credited to site editors via cure MND foundation, "Fight MND", https://curemnd.org.au/, Accessed on 12 June 2017, https://curemnd.org.au/
  • Image: Cure MND logo, "Fight MND - youtube", https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCUcbwAN0cO1hAydKKfcV0w, Accessed on 12 June 2017, https://www.youtube.com/channe...
  • Image: Cited as per website, "https://www.neura.edu.au/health/motor-neurone-disease/", https://www.neura.edu.au/health/motor-neurone-disease/, Accessed on 12 June 2017, https://www.neura.edu.au/healt...
  • Image: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac, "AHG Walk To The 'G' & The 'Big Freeze At The G'", http://www.zimbio.com/, Accessed on 12 June 2017, http://www.zimbio.com/pictures...
  • Image: Michael Klein, "Big Freeze at the ’G: Sports stars band together to find cure for motor neurone disease", heraldsun.com.au, Published on 11 June 2017, Accessed on 12 June 2017, http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ne...

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