Sydney’s globally renowned Bondi Icebergs will be part of the FightMND’s annual Big Freeze fundraiser for the first time ever this Queen’s Birthday long-weekend, with the most spectacular beachfront pool in the world set to stage a special Icebergs Celebrity Challenge.
The famous Icebergs pool, which is located at the southern end of Bondi Beach, has been the home of winter swimming since 1929. On Monday 14 June it will stage the ultimate FightMND icy challenge as Melbourne’s Jack Viney, Collingwood’s Jeremy Howe and Channel 7 Weekend Sunrise host Matt Doran, go head-to-head to see who can spend the longest amount of time in the chilly Icebergs pool in a kayak filled with ice.
The Sydney Icebergs FightMND Icebergs Challenge will be hosted by Sydney Swans legend Jude Bolton. The Challenge will be screened as part of the blockbuster AFL Round 13 Queen’s Birthday holiday match between Melbourne and Collingwood, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the culmination of a bumper weekend in Sydney.
NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “We are thrilled to host this incredible AFL match and FightMND’s Big Freeze in Sydney this Queen’s Birthday holiday. What better way to put a Sydney spin on the Big Freeze than an Icebergs Challenge at the home of winter swimming, Bondi Icebergs, overlooking beautiful Bondi Beach,” Mr Ayres said.
“Sydney is the place to be this Queen’s Birthday long weekend. I encourage locals to book a ticket to the Big Freeze match at the SCG and purchase a blue FightMND beanie supporting a truly worthwhile cause. Even if you’re in regional NSW or interstate, you can tune into the game on Seven and use the long
weekend to plan and book your own blockbuster Sydney getaway,” he said.
‘Play On ‘with Big Freeze, now in its seventh season, will transform the SCG into a sea of blue beanies on Monday afternoon, shining a light on AFL legend Neale Daniher and his fight against motor neurone disease. Daniher and the FightMND team have led the way in raising funds and awareness since 2014, committing more than $45 million to research initiatives.
Gary Pert, Melbourne Football Club CEO added: “The Big Freeze is an incredibly important match on the football calendar. One of the elements that makes the Queen’s Birthday game such a blockbuster is the crowd that it draws each year – so it was important that we explored all options to ensure that energy around the game continued.
“We are pleased that by moving the game to the SCG that Sydneysiders and our interstate members will have the opportunity to experience the excitement of the Big Freeze and play their role in supporting the fight against MND.”
FightMND Campaign Director, Bec Daniher said: “FightMND has set a goal to raise an additional $2-million before half-time of the Big Freeze match on Monday. We encourage everyone in NSW to help us reach this target. Donate or buy a beanie at fightmnd.org.au or pick up a beanie from Coles, Coles Express or Bunnings.
“FightMND is pleased to bring our Big Freeze message to the people of NSW. Our goal is to freeze MND and provide hope for families living with MND. Please buy a beanie or make a donation and help us ‘beat the Beast’ that is MND.”
Fans can tune into to watch all the action from the Bondi Icebergs Challenge in the official Big Freeze pre-match broadcast from 2pm (AEST) on the Seven Network nationally, with additional coverage on FOX FOOTY and live stream via Kayo from 2pm (AEST)
For more information, visit www.sydney.com.
