A SUCCESSFUL END MND fundraiser held at the Beechworth Football and Netball Club (BFNC) on Saturday raised more than $5700.
Beechworth Fire Brigade volunteer Damien Jones took part in the shivering ice-bucket challenge describing it as a “breathtaking” but enjoyable moment.
“When you have the ability to help a great cause, you do what you do,” he said.
“It’s great that the football and netball club gets behind the event.
“We’re lucky in Beechworth with a community spirit of wanting to help each other.”
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For the third year in a row BFNC has joined forces with End MND North East Victoria and Albury (End MND) for the much-loved ice-bucket challenge with Mitta United Football Netball Club taking part this year too.
Drawn to the family fun day Beechworth’s Trish Shaw said she always enjoys being part of the community vibe for the fundraiser.
“It's such a strong community spirit there,” she said.
“Everyone gets behind the cause and it's a wonderful family-oriented day.
“Georgia O’Connor and her crew of happy workers do an amazing job.”
A delighted Georgia said with dollars raised at the weekend, more than $20,000 has been clocked up for the cause over three years.
“There was a lot of new faces from the community,” she said.
“It was a great community day for families and for people of all ages, and the day brought together many people from across the community.
“We’re all coming together for an important cause with fighting back an insidious disease with an event of joy, laughter and community connection.
“There were lots of laughs when Beechworth Golf Club’s Holly Goodwin arrived in a golf buggy for the ice-bucket challenge."
Locals Ben Kraus cycled across the field while plumber (and under 14s football coach) Gareth Pritchard arrived with a loo sat on until he changed to a seat for the icy challenge.
“People make an effort in different ways they can contribute,” she said.
“We had someone make biscuits that sold out and raised $300."
Georgia said many new volunteers joined the END MND to be part of the community group with its fundraising efforts.
BFNC president Emma Carey said the late Brendan Halliday, a past BFNC member who lost his life from MND had done a lot for the club.
“It’s such a worthy cause supported by local businesses too,” she said.
"The event was a big success and everyone came to watch the games and hung around for the Big Freeze.”
Trish said supporting the cause is important in part due to the strong connection to the Halliday family. who sadly lost their wonderful husband and father to the insidious disease.
“The show of support from all the community is testament to the wonderful man Brendan was and the beautiful legacy he left in his family," she said.
“We all want to see the end of this debilitating disease.
"The more we all get behind this cause and do our bit, the more hope we have of finding a cure."
Georgia said from funds raised $3219.50 is going to Fight MND for research to find a cure and $2542.50 is being given to the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Victoria to support those living with MND.
Georgia said it's not too late to donate.
Tax deductible donations can be made to help find a cure by visiting bit.ly/FightMNDBeechworth, or to support Victorians living with MND at bit.ly/MNDVicBeechworth.
