Thanks to the generosity of the Australian public, the 2021 Big Freeze 7 has raised a record $14.6m for FightMND, allowing more funds to be made available, almost immediately, for vital research to find treatment and eventually a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.
Our community and the ever-growing FightMND Army have rallied to the cause, heeding the "Play On" message from FightMND Co-Founder and Patron NEALE DANIHER.
"I am always amazed by the generosity and giving spirit of Australians, and we are incredibly proud that our simple idea has now grown into such a huge tally - thank you to everyone who contributed.
This beast needs to be beaten and the funds raised from Big Freeze 7 give us more opportunity to build on our existing support of MND research, and I'm confident we will beat it one day soon, and that day is getting closer"
FightMND Campaign Director BEC DANIHER has headed up the record breaking campaign and wanted to express her appreciation of the very public, and also very private faces, that give so much to the cause.
On behalf of Neale and FightMND, thank you.
Thank you to our sliders, our ambassadors, and the broader AFL community.
It can't be understated the impact you are having on those with MND and their loved ones. The idea that someone is willing to stand up and play a part in the fight is not just heart-warming, but hugely significant, and you have certainly come to the fore this Big Freeze.
MND is a Beast. We all know the end game. But it doesn't have to be that way. Every day we are making strides towards Dad's vision of a world free of MND, and I want to thank each member of our army for your help in making this a reality. This Big Freeze alone will help fund vital clinical trials and drug development projects as well as enhance our research army.
Although we couldn't march this year or fill the MCG, we felt the Australian public's presence and the spirit of our army every step of the way and with every beanie sold.
From Neale, our family and FightMND I say thank you. Because of your support, we will 'Play On' and beat the Beast together.
FightMND CEO FIONA McINTOSH recognised the efforts of not only the Army, but the wonderful contributions of FightMND's commercial partners and stakeholders
These funds will be injected into more vital MND research almost immediately, with our next round of research grants to be funded in mid-September.
The progress of our fight in research laboratories around the world is made possible by your greatly appreciated support and I thank you for your commitment and contribution. Without it, we could not continue to fund cutting-edge, world-leading, MND research, and ultimately beat the Beast that is MND.
To our major Big Freeze partner Coles a massive "thank you" for your incredible support. Big Freeze 7 was the biggest single fundraising campaign ever at Coles - and thanks to the Aussie Pork Famers in conjunction with the Coles Aussie Pork campaign.
To Bunnings, we love having you as a partner again this year and seeing year teams embrace the beanie from A frame decorations to in store breakfast BBQs, was incredibly heartwarming.
Once again we are also incredibly grateful for the creative support of Sportsbet who always deliver our message with charm and wit, Micks Multi being a highlight this year!
To Channel Seven and the Herald Sun, the value of the promotion you have provided is extraordinary. We owe the support of our Army to the message that you help to share.
FightMND Research Director Dr BEC SHEEAN outlined the importance of funding vital research.
Right now MND is still a killer. There is no effective treatment and no cure. The announcement of the Big Freeze campaign total provides enormous hope for people living with MND, and for MND researchers.
Research is the best way we can fight back against MND and this on-going funding is critical to keeping researchers at their lab benches, to keeping discoveries progressing towards treatments and keeping the momentum going and the research progressing.
While the fun and excitement of the Big Freeze campaign has been underway, in the background FightMND and MND experts from around the world have been rigorously assessing research grants. We look for and fund the most promising projects focused on fighting the Beast. We do this with a sense of urgency, with funds raised to be committed within months, and working towards a cure.
We extend an enormous thank you to the FightMND Army. We don't know when the big breakthrough will come, but when it does, every single person or organisation who bought a beanie or donated to FightMND can know that they played a part in making it happen.
Along with the Federal Government's on-going support the FightMND key commercial partners have taken the famous blue beanies and the brand around Australia to help raise this incredible 2021 total. Each has played a significant role in raising funds and increasing awareness of the FightMND Big Freeze message.
Coles Group CEO Steven Cain:
"Our teams across Australia are extremely passionate about helping to find more effective treatments for this debilitating disease and breaking another fundraising record for FightMND has been achieved by working better together with our customers, Aussie pork farmers, team members and of course the wonderful team and supporters at FightMND."
"Our customers have embraced the cause like never before this year and we can't thank them enough for showing their support for individuals, families and communities affected by MND by buying a beanie or a Coles Brand fresh pork product at Coles and Coles Express over the past six weeks."
Bunnings Group Managing Director Michael Schneider:
"This is the third year we have supported the FightMND Big Freeze campaign and it continues to get bigger and better each year. Our team is proud to be part of the FightMND Army and is so inspired by the amazing effort and resilience shown by Neale and his team in finding a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.
We also recognise the considerable challenges and suffering those battling MND and their loved ones live with every day, and acknowledge their courage and determination as we come together to help FightMND raise funds for research into fighting this beast of a disease. Thank you to our team and customers for helping to support this important cause – play on".
Sportsbet General Manager Marketing at Sportsbet Tim Hernadi:
"We are honoured to play a supporting role in the Fight MND cause, and to get behind Neale Daniher and his family.
The work they have undertaken to shine a light on this devastating illness is nothing short of inspiring, and we look forward to continuing our support for many years to come."
Minister for Health and Aged Care - The Hon Greg Hunt MP:
"The work of Neale and the whole FightMND team is truly an inspiration to all of Australia.
Neale's fight against this disease has raised awareness and much needed funds for research into MND to hopefully find a cure.
The Australian Government was proud to again commit $2 million as part of this year's Big Freeze. Thank you to each and every person who donated to FightMND."
2021 Sliders SHARNI NORDER and ABBEY HOLMES, along with FightMND Chairman BILL GUEST and BEC DANIHER were on hand at Daniher's Way outside the MCG to ice-bucket those involved in the final record tally!
FightMND also expressed gratitude to the whole AFL community, and key partners - to the MCC who graciously accommodated our Big Freeze event at an empty 'G and the AFL who worked with us to make sure the Big Freeze happened despite the game moving interstate.
Thank you to Collingwood and Melbourne who worked with us throughout the campaign even when dealing with covid issues of their own. A big thank you to West Coast for hosting a Perth Big Freeze game and to all the other clubs for getting their players out in beanies and sharing our message across their media channels.
This record figure will significantly increase our capacity to invest in new research, and provide hope for Australian's living with MND that treatment and cure for this insidious disease is coming closer day by day.
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>> And there are still many DIY Big Freeze and FightMND fundraising events happening all around the country over the next month, some having been postponed due to COVID restrictions - we can potentially connect you with an event in your local media market.
There is always opportunity to donate online at fightmnd.org.au, and there is a limited number of children's beanies available only online for $17.50 each.
