Ross Lyon has a personal reason to get behind Neale Daniher’s cause at the Fight MND's Big Freeze campaign ahead of next Monday’s clash between Melbourne and Collingwood at the MCG.
Every day, at least two Australians die on average from Motor Neurone Disease and the Fremantle senior coach revealed the impact it has had on his own life.
“The way Neale’s fought MND is incredible,” Lyon said.
“It’s a cause that, I don’t wear it on my heart and sleeve, but my mum died of Motor Neurone.
“It’s a hideous disease. My father looked after my mum but my wife, Kirsten, and I shifted back in and cared for her at the end and that was a really difficult time.
“So, anything I can do to help Neale and the cause.
“If we can find a cure through contributing and raising some funds – all the AFL coaches are happy to do that.”
Lyon said he hasn’t locked in an outfit for the slide yet.
“It should be a fun day, we want to have some fun,” Lyon said.
“We want to ‘fight the beast’ as Neale would say and we implore everyone to jump behind it as the footy community does to raise some funds.
“I’m not sure what I’m going down as, it wont be pretty no matter what it is.”
For the first time, all 18 senior coaches will head down the slide into a pool of ice water as the wider football community raises funds to fight Motor Neurone Disease.
Daniher, a former Bombers player and Melbourne senior coach, has brought the cause to the forefront of the AFL community as he battles the disease.
Those wishing to donate to the cause can do so at fightmnd.org.au.
