Coach Don Pyke has spoken about his personal connection with Motor Neurone Disease, as the Adelaide Football Club throws its support behind the Freeze for MND campaign.
Pyke’s father and respected sports scientist, Dr Frank Pyke, lost his life to MND in 2011.
On Wednesday, Crows players, coaches and staff wore Cure for MND beanies ahead of the ‘Big Freeze 2’ at the MCG on the Queen’s Birthday. AFL legend and MND sufferer Neale Daniher is a driving force behind the campaign.
The Adelaide Senior Coach said the Club was pleased to support the cause.
“For me it’s got a little bit of extra significance. My father passed away from MND (Motor Neurone Disease) about four-and-a-half years ago,” Pyke said,
“I saw him, only briefly, live with the disease. It’s a terrible disease.
“It’s great what Neale’s doing, in particular, with the ‘Freeze at the G’ campaign. I know last year they raised nearly $2.7 million, which is fantastic, because there’s no cure at this point.
“We’ve got the beanies and our guys will be wearing those at training in the warm-up in support of the cause.”
Daniher is a friend and former colleague of Don Pyke.
The pair worked together during Pyke's time as midfield manager at West Coast.
“Neale’s last year at West Coast was my first year,” Pyke said.
“He’s a ripping bloke. If you know Neale Daniher, he’s always got a laugh and a smile. He’s tackled the disease with the sort of energy that you’d expect he would. To throw his weight behind that and raise that sort of level of funds is a credit to him and his family.
“It’s really easy to get behind someone like that and support his cause.”
For the second year running, the ‘Big Freeze at the G’ will be held prior to Monday’s clash between Melbourne and Collingwood at the MCG.
Well-known footy and television personalities will be dunked into a giant ice pool before the match In support of the Cure for MND Foundation.
Fans can get involved by making a donation or purchasing a beanie at www.freezeMND.com, and posting a social media selfie wearing a beanie with the hashtag #freezeMND.
Pyke said it was great to see the entire football community supporting the campaign.
“They often talk about footy clubs being mini-families and they really are,” he said.
“We all spend a lot of time with each other and we form relationships with people. With that goes a sense of family. That’s why I think, when these things strike the industry, you see that level of support.
“It’s the fabric of being part of a community of people that love playing and being involved in footy.”
