Behind the Freeze: months of work for one big day

THOUSANDS will watch and cheer as local personalities take a plunge into an ice pool this May, but they wouldn’t be there without the tireless work of a small but dedicated group.

Graeme Reid is the driving force behind Geelong’s Big Freeze event.

Now in its fifth year, the annual fundraiser brings in thousands of dollars each year for Fight MND, a charity supporting people living with the degenerative neurological disorder motor neurone disease (MND).

While the community comes together for a single day, Reid and his team spend months preparing in the lead-up.

 

“There’s quite a few moving parts, but first and foremost is getting enough interest from people to slide down into the ice,” Reid said. “It’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

“We need to have a balance of people that are in the community that are affected by MND, have a balance of people associated with the football clubs that are involved, and also high-profile people that slide as well.”

Each year, the organising group begins with a wishlist of potential participants and works through it, carefully shaping a lineup that reflects the Geelong community. Locals with a personal connection to MND remain at the heart of the event.

Meeting with participants in the hour before the main event is a highlight for Reid and the organising committee.

 

“It’s a special moment because there’s a lot of nerves, there’s a lot of energy and it’s everyone getting together for the first time,” Reid said.

“It’s what we call our golden hour and that’s what we as organisers all look forward to.”

Despite the frivolity of the event, raising the profile of MND is at its core.

Following the lead of Neale Daniher, who co-founded Fight MND after his diagnosis in 2013, awareness of the condition has grown significantly. Support from the AFL and communities across the country has helped raise more than $110 million for research.

“In the first in the first four years [in Geelong] we’ve actually raised about $360,000, so that’s very important,” Reid said.

 

“But the profile of the event is equally as important for the awareness and for the recognition of MND.”

Close to 8,000 people are expected to attend this year. Reid said everyone is welcome to come along on May 31, but encouraged people to allow extra time and be prepared to park further away from the venue.

With big goals of raising $100,000 this year, he said regardless of whether the target is hit or not, the generosity of the Geelong community is outstanding.

“We always manage to hit the target, but it is never a given, and we are relying on the generosity of a lot of people,” Reid said.

 

“If we don’t get there, that’s OK. We know our supporters have given the best they can and that’s all we can ask for.

“If you can’t get a beanie, or if you just come along and support, we’re not going to ask you for money. As long as you’re there and having a good time, you are part of the army fighting against MND.”

Clubs and locals can support the event by purchasing Big Freeze socks or beanies. Strong interest in supporting the event means volunteer numbers have already been capped.

Big Freeze Geelong will be held on Sunday 31 May at Newtown & Chilwell Football Netball Club in Elderslie Reserve at 1pm.