THE ANNUAL King’s Birthday game is one that is usually marked on every Melbourne and Collingwood fans' calendar, but for two devoted footy fans, this year’s game has even more meaning.
Simon Polinelli and Richard Coyne will be trekking 264 kilometres around the bay in eight days to raise funds for Fight MND.
The pair’s fierce friendship is split only by football, with Simon’s dedicated support of the Demons rivalled only by Richard’s love for the Magpies.
With Simon and Richard both facing personal health challenges over the last few years, Neale Daniher is a large inspiration.
“I've had a personal health challenge, not directly the same, but it's an interesting correlation,” said Richard.
“I’ve found myself to have been quite trapped in my own head but physically capable, and looking at Neale, who's completely cognizant but physically challenged, that was just when I said, I'll be the legs.”
These health reasons are what gave Simon and Richard the idea and spirit to do their part to raise money for such a meaningful cause within both clubs.
“I like Richard, had a different health issue. You had to go and work that out that sort of reprioritised what I thought was going on in life,” added Simon.
“But when Richard first spoke to me about this, I jumped onboard pretty quick, to have some of that of a kindred spirit following something we both love, being football.
“Plus, with us both identifying with someone in the community that we both really look up to, and is someone that is so selfless, and so giving and it’s for such a great cause.”
Since 2014 alone, Fight MND has raised $69.3 million, a mind-blowing amount to help fight such a crippling disease. Richard and Simon’s goal is simple, to raise $250,000.
“264 kilometres, eight days, but every morning doing our own Big Freeze by popping ourselves in the bay.” Richard.
Starting each day with the same cold plunge as the Big Freeze allows both competitors to have their own taste of what this year’s celebrities and icons will face on the big day.
Their journey will take them around Port Phillip Bay, leaving from the MCG on the 4th of June with the aim of returning by the 12th.
This will see both competitors visit Altona, Werribee, Geelong, Saint Leonards, Sorrento, Dromana, Frankston and St Kilda finishing up at the MCG.
“To donate, if you Google, ‘Big freeze in the bay’, it'll come up microsite of us but housed within Fight MND,” added Simon.
“I’m conscious of this as a message to people that there is no relationship with us. This is going straight to Fight MND and their administration.”
To donate to their amazing cause, go to Fight MND to follow along and help support their journey.
