Essendon’s King’s Birthday Eve match with Carlton this Sunday night will set the stage to Freeze the ‘G and support the fight against motor neurone disease.
Bomber fans attending the game are urged to get to their seats by 6:45pm as the MCG is plunged into darkness, lit only by phone torches from the stands and the Fight MND screening around the stadium.
Supporters will have an opportunity on the night to raise funds and support the ongoing fight to eradicate the currently incurable disease, with Fight MND co-founder Neale Daniher leading the way since his own diagnosis with the disease in 2013.
The spectacle will be made even more special by the gathering of all four Daniher brothers in Terry, Chris, Anthony and Neale in the centre circle of the ground, just the second time the quartet have appeared together at the ‘G following from the club’s 150-year celebration in 2022.
Daniher and the team at Fight MND have raised nearly $56,000,000 for MND research since its inception in 2014, giving hope to the thousands of Australians going through their own individual battles with the terminal disease, in the pursuit of preventative treatments and hopefully a cure.
Essendon welcomed Neale to the NEC Hangar on Wednesday morning ahead of the occasion, accompanied by brother Terry, Dr. Rebecca Sheean, and three brave Dons fans fighting MND in a special presentation for all club players and staff.
"Our theme for this year's Big Freeze is 'don't say, do'," Daniher said.
"The biggest test of anyone's character is not when you are flying, it's when life is at its toughest. That's what I reminded myself when I received my diagnosis in 2013.
"I had to look for the opportunity this challenge presents."
Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo was proud to be a part of the experience alongside the entire club.
“It was a true honour to have Neale, Terry and the wider Fight MND team at the club this week,” Vozzo said.
“Neale is an inspiration to all Australians. The work he’s done in both raising awareness for and fighting this disease has made an indelible impact on so many families for the better, and it was moving for our players and staff to hear from him in person.
“We couldn’t be prouder to get behind Freeze the ‘G and add to what’s already set to be an amazing night on King’s Birthday Eve.
“We’re hoping to see as many Essendon fans as possible in their seats early on Sunday night and donating to the cause.”
Like the four Daniher brothers came together to take the field as Bomber teammates for the first time in 1990, Sunday night presents a chance for the community to gather and throw their support behind a cause that goes well beyond football.
Fans can donate to Fight MND here.
