- Donate to the one of the dunking participants – here.
THE round 15 match between Nhill and Dimboola will be about more than another four points as the two clubs come together to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease.
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What started as another idea for the club to get behind has grown bigger and bigger right up until the past week.
Nhill sporting club president Brett Wheaton said Fight MND was a great program for his club to get behind.
“I think its important for us to recognise the people that have faced this battle within in our community as well as beyond,” he said.
“This Saturday is not about the Nhill sporting club, it is about supporting the people in Nhill.”
Following the senior football game 12 players connected to the Nhill and Dimboola clubs will be dunked in a tank of icy water.
As of Thursday afternoon more than $11,000 had been raised in sponsorship for those taking the plunge.
“We were just hoping to get over $10,000 and we have already gone past that,” Wheaton said.
“It has once again exposed the generosity of everyone in this community.”
Further money will be raised by selling Fight MND merchandise at the game, with special memorabilia and jumpers to also be auctioned off following the ice challenge.
Ex-AFL players Glenn Manton and Jason Johnson will make the trip to the small Wimmera town to support the event.
“Neale Daniher has also sent us a video thanking us for the support,” Wheaton said.
John Batson and David Flood have been the driving forces behind the event.
It started when Batson, who has a personal connection to the disease, approached the club with the idea at the start of the season.
From there the club approached Dimboola with the concept. Dimboola president Col Campbell was all too happy to support the cause.
“The club just thought it was a great cause with a strong football connection that we could get behind,” he said.
“Nhill has done a great job to bring it together.”