Some of the passionate and caring team from Genuine Support Services Australia (GSSA) — Kayla Jones, Claire Fidge, Tyneile Wilson, and Raylene Morcom - are gearing up to brave the icy plunge for this year’s Big Freeze, a powerful national campaign raising awareness and vital funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
(L) Australia’s National Neale Daniher Big Freeze family
(R) Braving the weather the GSSA family Big Freeze Team, Kayla Jones, Claire Fidge, Tyneile Wlson, and Raylene Morcom of GSSA Murray Bridge.
For these four women, the cause is deeply personal, Claire, who has been closely connected to many individuals affected by MND, shares her heartfelt motivation: “I have many personal and work connections with people suffering from MND, and I just wanted to show people that I support finding a cure. The many people I have supported with MND are who I’m thinking of—especially the one we’re supporting right now. It’s only a moment that I’ll be cold, but for someone facing this diagnosis, it changes their entire life. I’m here for them.”
Tyneile, taking part for the first time, says the choice to join the Big Freeze was inspired by Claire’s compassion and advocacy. “MND is a devastating illness, and I want to do my part to support those living with it,” Tyneile says. “Working in the disability sector, I’ve had the privilege of supporting people with MND and witnessing their strength. Their courage has touched me deeply.”
“There’s someone special I’ll be thinking of when that icy water hits me. I’m doing this to honour their strength and to show how much they inspire me. I hope this reminds people how important it is to support those living with this heartbreaking disease, and to truly appreciate each day we have.”
The GSSA team will take the plunge together, united by compassion and purpose. “It’s a team effort,” Tyneile says. “We’re a very caring, loving team at GSSA. We’re doing this together—for the people we support, for the people we love, and for a future without MND.”
You can support the Big Freeze GSSA team by scanning the barcode below, donating via https://support.fightmnd.org.au/s/4643/5077 or personally dropping into the GSSA office to donate. Every dollar brings us one step closer to a cure—and reminds those living with MND that they are never alone.
*Neale Daniher – AO, The FightMND Club, Co-founder & Patron
Since his diagnosis in 2013, Neale Daniher and his family have been battling the effects of motor neurone disease (MND), but he continues to raise awareness and remains a tireless campaigner for a cure for the Beast.
Neale has lived his condition very publicly, even in the advanced stages of the disease.
A former AFL player with Essendon FC who went on to coach the Melbourne Demons, Neale’s implemented his team-based football experience to galvanise community and corporate support for the cause.
The now 63-year-old has lived with this extremely debilitating disease for ten years, defying the average life expectancy of just 27 months.
With amazing courage and relentless drive, he’s dedicated his life to helping prevent the suffering of those who’ll be diagnosed in the future.