Big Freeze Geelong sliding into town

THE Geelong community will rally around the fight against motor neurone disease this Sunday with Big Freeze Geelong to return for a third year.

The annual FightMND event, which has been in held in Drysdale for the past two years, will take place at Herne Hill Reserve for the first time, expected to break previous fundraising records and attendances.

St Joseph’s Football Netball Club president Sue Cormack said it is an exciting time for the club, after it was announced earlier this year Joeys would be hosting this year’s Big Freeze Geelong event.

“We’re delighted to have it this year,” Ms Cormack said.

“We’ll have female footy, all abilities footy, and then our big top of the table game in the seniors, which always draws a big crowd in itself.

“We think that, coupled with an added incentive of watching some of our local celebrities going down the slide into the freezing pool, it’ll be huge.

“Plenty of food, good cheer and hopefully great weather. We’re really looking forward to a fantastic day.”

16 sliders have committed to taking part in Sunday’s event, ranging from sports figures to well-known community members.

The list includes Ms Cormack, Melbourne Vixen Emily Mannix, St Joseph’s College principal Tony Paatsch, Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan, former Western Bulldogs player Adam Cooney, Geelong Cats waterboy Sam Moorfoot, Geelong Cats player Gary Rohan, and St Kilda player Charlotte Simpson to name a few.

Organisers such as Graeme Reid are also aiming to accomplish an ambitious fundraising total of $100,000, with current totals already past the halfway mark.

“We’re looking really strong for this year and the transfer of the event to St Joseph’s has really given it new life,” Mr Reid said.

“The quality of the sliders and the support from both St Joseph’s and St Mary’s Sporting Club has been amazing.

“We’re sitting on about $70,000 at the moment, so we’re aiming for a big push between now and Sunday and we generally get a last-minute rush.”

The sliders will begin taking the plunge from 1pm on the day, prior to the senior football clash between St Joseph’s and St Mary’s at 2.20pm.

Any additional funds can be donated to Big Freeze Geelong at support.fightmnd.org.au/fundraisers/diy-big-freeze-geelong.