About 30 members of the Launceston community will brave icy conditions with the aim to find a cure for a devastating disease.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Funds raised at the third annual Launceston Big Freeze for MND will be used to fund research, clinical trials, and to support Tasmanians living with motor neurone disease.
The event will see participants slip and slide into an icy pool of water in front of hundreds of onlookers.
The event’s youngest slider will be eight-year-old Rhys Penney from Hadspen.
“Neale Daniher inspired me to do it,” he said.
“I love that he’s never had an attitude that’s put him down.”
Rhys said he had raised about $1000 so far.
“All my friends’ mums and dads have been donating lots of money to me, all at least over $10,” he said.
“The biggest one was probably $160 by my cousin’s grandma, who’s having a soup and sandwich day and I have to get up and talk.”
Rhys said his friends and family had been very supportive of his decision to take part.
Launceston electrician, and City of Launceston alderman candidate, Paul Spencer will also take the plunge.
“I had a friend of mine’s wife die with MND a couple of years ago,” he said.
“It’s a horrible death, and that’s why I’m going down the slide.”
Mr Spencer had raised about $1000 so far, and wanted to thank the community for its support.
Tassie Freezing for MND committee member Lindy McMahon said about 30 sliders would participate on Saturday.
Ms McMahon said it’s a hugely important event.
“Most of the people on the committee have a connection to someone who is suffering from MND, so it’s a big reason why we’ve all gotten on-board with the cause,” she said.
“Obviously there’s no cure for MND, so any amount of money that we can raise to try and find a cure helps the cause.
“We hope to raise around the $30,000 mark. To get $30,000 just from the slide would be pretty good.”
Those with MND progressively lose the ability to walk, talk, feed themselves, swallow, and eventually breathe.
The disease can affect anyone, and there is no effective treatment and no known cure.
Every day in Australia, at least two people are diagnosed and two people die from the disease.
For more information about the event, visit the Tassie Freezing for MND website.
The Big Freeze will take place on Saturday, October 6 from 9.30am at the avenue on Brisbane Street, Launceston.
While you're with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates direct to your inbox. Sign up here.