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Rockingham shoppers help raise funds for motor neurone disease

Tyra PetersSound Telegraph
Coles team Members Saia and Jon with Big Freeze 8 beanies
Camera IconColes team Members Saia and Jon with Big Freeze 8 beanies Credit: FIONA HAMILTON/Fiona Hamilton

Shoppers in the Rockingham region have embraced FightMND’S Big Freeze 8 campaign, having raised more than $32,000 in just six weeks to help find a cure for motor neurone disease.

Funds raised by local shoppers contribute to a record $8.6 million raised nationally by Coles to help take their Big Freeze 8 tally to $19.8m.

All funds raised from the sale of beanies and Coles Brand pork — together with donations from customers and Cole’s Australian pork farmers, will enable more funds to go towards finding a cure for MND.

Coles Baldivis was among the top three fundraising stores in Western Australia with more than $10,000 raised, while Coles Rockingham Park and Warnbro were close behind each raising over $8,000.

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Coles Baldivis store manager Rohan D’sylva said he was blown away by the support of the local community.

“It’s been amazing and very exciting for our store to be among the top fundraising stores in Western Australia for FightMND,” he said.

“The Big Freeze gets bigger and bigger every year and our team members love being part of the FightMND Army. We can’t thank our customers enough for continuing to get behind this worthy cause.”

FightMND founded in 2014 by Pat Cunningham, Neale Daniher, and the late Dr Ian Davis, who were on a mission to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure for motor neurone disease.

Since then The Big Freeze has become an annual event, with many well-known Aussies participating in ice bath challenge and bringing awareness to the cause.

FightMND campaign Director Bec Daniher thanked Coles, its customers and Australian pork farmers for their support.

“We are so grateful to every single Coles team member and customer who joined us in the fight against the beast this year and helped raise vital funds for MND research,” she said.

“From selling and purchasing Big Freeze beanies and Coles Aussie Pork products, to hosting their own DIY Big Freeze events, the impact of Coles and their customers has been tremendous and we can’t thank them enough.

“And of course, a big thank you to our FightMND Army around Australia for buying their Big Freeze beanies at Coles and Coles Express stores.”

All funds will be directed to FightMND and will be invested in cutting-edge research projects focused on fast-tracking new MND treatments and driving discoveries towards a cure.

For further info on FightMND and the Big Freeze campaign, visit the website.

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