Big Freeze for Fight MND is back

Ice water will soon rain down on people in Gunnedah, but it has nothing to do with the already freezing temperatures.

Gunnedah’s Sunnyfield Disability Services are calling on everyone to get involved in this year’s Big Freeze events with an aim to raise $10,000 for Fight MND.

The first Big Freeze (where volunteers will get dunked with ice cold water) will be at the service’s hub at 121 Stock Road on Friday, June 20 at 11am.

Next up, the team will be at the June Country Markets on Saturday for the second dunking day and fundraising.

That same afternoon, the team will be at the AFL games raising money and supporting the local teams.

They will then be teeing up for a charity golf day at the Gunnedah Golf Club on the Sunday, starting at 9.30am.

It is now the third year the Sunnyfield team has stepped up to raise money for Fight MND.

The charity aims to find effective treatments and a cure for motor neurone disease (MND).

The disease impacts motor neuron nerves, which are found in the brain and spinal cord. Muscles weaken and stop working for the diagnosed. Moving, speaking and eventually breathing all stops.

It is a fast progression for most sufferers, with the average life expectancy from diagnosis being 27 months, according to Fight MND.

This is not just an issue for Australia – the Gunnedah community

suffers more than most. Last year, the Gunnedah Times was told Australia averaged 8.7 cases per 100,000 people. In Gunnedah, the number was 30 cases in 100,000 people.

There is no known cure or effective treatment for the disease. Each day in Australia, two people are diagnosed and two people die from MND.

Not only does the Big Freeze serve as an opportunity to raise much needed funds to research this disease, it also raises awareness.

Support workers believe it should be a notifiable disease. By doing so, professionals can trace and link any reason and trigger for MND.

About 10 per cent of people diagnosed have inherited a genetic mutation from a family member. The 90 other per cent are considered sporadic.

Throughout the last few years, the team at Sunnyfield have watched as the community showed its heart. Schools, sport communities, businesses and individuals have dug deep to support the cause.

Last year the Gunnedah community raised $25,800 for the fight against MND and now it is time to go again.

There are multiple ways to get involved, including attending events or donating to Gunnedah Fights MND 2025 page. Some may have already had a head start through purchasing beanies and socks from the team around town.

Sunnyfield’s regional manager Lauren Muggleton said they want to show support and raise money for treatment though these events.

“We are a small group of local people who have seen first hand how cruel MND can be,” she said.

“If any local businesses or organisations want to be involved, sponsor us and show support for amazing locals who have been affected by MND, please let us know.

“If you want to just come along and have a chat and show your support and raise awareness we would love that too.”