Generous Mount Gambier Community

Shoppers in Mount Gambier are warming up for another big fundraising campaign in the fight against Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Thanks to the support of customers and team members, Coles Mount Gambier has raised more than $118,000 for FightMND since 2020 and last year, the store was ranked the top fundraiser in South Australia and fifth nationally for Big Freeze 9 with an incredible $45,000 raised.

Across Australia, Coles, together with its customers, suppliers and Aussie pork farmers have contributed more than $30 million to FightMND over six years, helping one of Australia’s leading MND charities to fund cuttingedge research to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure, as well as care support initiatives for Australians living with MND.

The special 10-year anniversary Big Freeze Beanie is on sale now at Coles supermarkets and Coles Online for $25 until June 21.

For the first time, customers can also purchase a Big Freeze Beanie at selected Coles Liquor stores in South Australia, including Liquorland Mount Gambier, until June 21 or unless sold out prior.

All proceeds from the sales of Big Freeze Beanies will be donated to FightMND’s Big Freeze 10 campaign.

The Big Freeze Beanies have become a symbol of support for those who are living with the disease, including FightMND co-founder and AFL great Neale Daniher AO who was diagnosed with MND in 2013.

“This is a milestone year in our fight against MND. Coles and their customers have been an enormous part of our journey – but the fight is not over yet, and there is still so much more to do,” he said.

“By pulling on your Beanie for Big Freeze 10 you are doing your bit, and once again this year your actions will speak louder than words – So don’t say. DO!…. and join me as we go again in this fight to beat the Beast that is MND”.

Coles has also partnered with Aussie pork farmers, Flybuys and major brands including Peters Ice Cream, Cadbury and Solo to raise further funds for Big Freeze 10.

In addition to purchasing a Beanie, customers can support FightMND by buying a Coles brand Fresh Australian Pork product, with 10 cents from every pack sold at Coles supermarkets and Coles Online going to the cause.

For the first time, Coles customers can also redeem their Flybuys points for donations to FightMND through the Flybuys Rewards Store via the Flybuys app or the Flybuys website until Friday, June 21, with 1000 points equating to a $5 donation for the charity, and until Tuesday, June 4, customers can collect Flybuys 5x points for every Big Freeze 10 Beanie or Coles brand Fresh Australian Pork product purchased in any Coles supermarket nationally or on Coles Online.

Coles chief Ccmmercial officer Anna Croft said the Big Freeze campaign has become Coles’ single biggest community fundraiser every year.

“The FightMND cause is close to the hearts of many of our customers and team members across Australia and is an important way for Coles to support the health of Australians,” she said.

“We love seeing our customers wearing their Big Freeze Beanie in our stores while they do their shopping in the colder months and our team members’ enthusiasm for getting involved in the campaign with running their own Big Freeze events like ice bucket challenges in stores or with their local sports clubs.

“Coles’ partnership with FightMND started from a unique collaboration with our Aussie pork farmers which has grown with every Big Freeze campaign. We’re also excited to have other suppliers like Peters Ice Cream, Sunpork, Cadbury and Asahi Beverages offer their support this year.”