Lowndes to take the plunge for Big Freeze

Supercars legend Craig Lowndes will swap his racing suit for a Big Freeze Beanie and brave the icy plunge, confirming his participation in Big Freeze 11 to raise awareness and funds in the fight against Motor Neurone Disease.

The Big Freeze fundraiser will return for its 11th edition during the King’s Birthday AFL clash between Collingwood and Melbourne, airing live on Seven and 7plus Sport.

The annual pre-match event features 10 high-profile Australians sliding into an icy pool in support of FightMND, the foundation co-founded by AFL great Neale Daniher. So far, eight participants have been confirmed: Olympic swimming champion Ariarne Titmus, Collingwood legend Peter Daicos, actor and former NRL player Matt Nable, former Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor, Sunrise co-host and former Olympian Matt Shirvington, Australian Diamonds netball captain Liz Watson, Australian women’s cricket star Alyssa Healy, and former Melbourne Demons fan favourite Aaron Davey.

Now, Supercars Legend and Hall of Fame inductee Lowndes will join the list – and while the motorsport champion isn’t known for loving the cold, he says the cause is too important to ignore.

“It’s gonna be quite exciting. I’ve seen it in the past and watched some great personalities – Nick Riewoldt comes to mind going down as Freddie Mercury,” Lowndes said.

“To be able to go down and try and spread the good cause of what it does, in a sense of the awareness but also trying to find a cure – that’s what it’s all about.

“I watched Neale [Daniher] growing up playing football, so really for me, it’s a special time to be able to at least contribute, have a bit of fun, and try to share the awareness.

“I’m not a big fan of ice baths – especially two tons of ice water – but as I said, it’s going to be fun.

“It’s Aussie icons, so you’ll have to wait and see, but it’s going to be a lot of fun to be able to go to the MCG, be part of the Big Freeze and, as I said, just cross over between the Supercar world and the footy world to try and come together as one.”

Since its inception in 2015, the Big Freeze has become a cornerstone of the AFL calendar and a national movement, raising more than $100 million to help fund vital research and treatment initiatives.

This year’s campaign, themed “Live it Forward”, calls on all Australians to refuse to stand still, rally together, and carry the torch lit by Neale Daniher in the fight against the Beast that is MND.

Big Freeze 11 Beanies are on sale now at selected retailers and online at fightmnd.org.au. All proceeds go directly to funding vital MND research and care initiatives.