Julie Baird wants to raise $55,000 this year to find a cure for motor neuron disease and she needs you to take an icy plunge for the Big Freeze.
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The Maiden Gully cafe owner has raised more than $80,000 since friend Les Keene were diagnosed with MND.
Mr Keene had hoped to accompany Mrs Baird and legendary AFL coach Neale Daniher on the road for 2018 FightMND fundraiser Daniher's Drive.
"But he got too sick. Now he has died. Helen, his wife, will be coming with me on Daniher's Drive next October," Mrs Baird said.
She has lost two more friends this year after they too were diagnosed with MND. Several more of her friends have it.
"I've got a friend in Donald who has got it real bad. A lady out there has raised about $3000 for me," Mrs Baird said.
"I don't know whether it's more common, but people are becoming more aware of MND.
"I'm doing this to help find a cure to help these people who are suffering. They (researchers) are getting closer. They've had a few breakthroughs already."
Mrs Baird has already held one sports night fundraiser this year as well as a movie night planned for 5 September.
"I've also got a Father's Day raffle and a Big Freeze golf day," she said.
Last year's Big Freeze at the Bendigo Golf Club saw about 20 local ideas slide into an enourmous pool of icy water, including then-locally based police superintendent Darren Franks and deputy mayor Rod Fyffe.
Story continues below images of Rod Fyffe taking a dip.
More photos: 2018 Big Freeze golf day participants
Marist College Bendigo principal Darren McGregor took the plunge after his school raised over $1000.
"You've got to get behind causes like this. It was interesting because as well as raising the money it raised awareness at the school," he said.
"There are so many people who have MND or know someone who has had it. It's a pretty small thing to go into a pool of ice to help them out."
The Big Freeze golf day takes place on 27 September. To field a team or take the plunge call Mrs Baird on 0428 250 786.
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Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
