By Alesha Capone
Werribee Football Club has raised thousands of dollars for a cause close to its heart, and the heart of a famous former player, Neale Daniher.
The former Essendon player and AFL coach was a member of Werribee FC’s 1991 grand final team.
In 2013, Mr Daniher was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). He went on to co-found the not-for-profit FightMND organisation and is a well-known campaigner for research into the illness.
Earlier this month, Mr Daniher paid a visit to the Werribee players before a match at the Avalon Airport Oval.
When they ran onto the field later on, the Werribee players wore socks emblazoned with “Fight MND”.
The club also sold Big Freeze 5 beanies, named in honour of the annual fundraising ‘Big Freeze’ at the MCG, on the day.
Werribee FC chief executive Mark Penaluna said selling the beanies helped to raise more than $4000 for FightMND.
“We have purchased beanies and provided financial support to MND previously – however, in 2019 we managed this in a much more co-ordinated and productive fashion,” Mr Penaluna said.
“Neale attended our pre-game event and spoke to WFC players and coaches – I know that all of those who he did speak to were incredibly impressed.”
Mr Penaluna said that WFC’s past players, in particular Michael McMaster, officials and others also supported the MND cause via the Daniher drive and other initiatives.
