Footy takes on deadly MND disease
AFL great Neale Daniher hopes an Australia-first therapeutic trial will soon help put the freeze on the disease that is killing him.
Daniher has battled the effects of motor neurone disease to help raise nearly $400,000 in a nationwide campaign to be highlighted by the "Big Freeze at the G" event at the Melbourne versus Collingwood game at the MCG on Monday.
The promotion will feature former stars Tim Watson, Garry Lyon, Brian Taylor, Dermott Brereton and Luke Darcy and other celebrities dunked in an ice bath.
Another major fundraiser, Daniher's Drive, will be held in October. The double-pronged event will be held in Victoria as well as WA, with a round trip starting in Perth, heading out to Northam and another mystery destination before finishing back in the city.
Nic Naitanui and Luke Shuey.
West Coast continued the fundraising effort yesterday by assembling its staff and players in the middle of Domain Stadium wearing 200 MND beanies bought to get behind the cause.
Daniher said he had been overwhelmed by the support since his diagnosis in 2013. "It's been amazing, the generosity across the AFL . . . overwhelming," he said.
"The first therapeutic trial in Australia is on the radar and we're looking at supporting it."
