As we farewell Neale Daniher, the fight against ‘The Beast’ must go on |
As we farewell Neale Daniher, the fight against ‘The Beast’ must go on
June 10, 2026 — 5:00am
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Neale Daniher’s life was writ large, first in footy and then through circumstances no one would wish upon another. In 2013, Daniher was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. A year later he founded FightMND. It has raised more than $150 million for research and support.
A large factor in its fundraising is the Big Freeze at the MCG. It is the biggest fundraiser in Australia for MND. On Monday, almost 90,000 people turned the ground into a sea of blue beanies. Digital beanies for each seat sold out.
It is a testament to Daniher, his family and FightMND that Australians have joined in the battle in the numbers they have and in giving money to the cause – whether it be a few dollars or the extraordinary gift of $40 million that Queensland couple Quentin and Kylie Birt made on Monday.
Before the game, FightMND’s lead researcher, Bec Sheean, reflected to fans at Federation Square on........