NATHAN Jones will take the plunge for a cause bigger than football, confirmed as Melbourne’s slider for Big Freeze 12 as the fight against motor neurone disease continues in honour of FightMND Co-founder and Patron Neale Daniher.

Neale Daniher inspired millions through his courage, optimism and unwavering determination in the face of MND. While his legacy will live on forever, so too will the fight he led.

This year’s campaign carries his signature rally cry louder than ever - Play On, for Neale.

Jones will represent the Demons on the famous slide at the MCG ahead of the traditional King’s Birthday clash between Melbourne and Collingwood on Monday, June 8, joining a growing list of Australians helping raise awareness and funds in the fight against the Beast.

More than 2,700 Australians are currently living with MND, with that number projected to rise significantly in the coming decades. On average, a person diagnosed with MND survives just 27 months following diagnosis, while two Australians die from the disease every day. Two more are diagnosed.

Since 2014, FightMND has become one of the world’s largest independent funders of MND research, investing more than $141 million into research, clinical trials and support programs for Australians impacted by the disease.

Thanks to that support, more than 700 Australians have gained access to FightMND-backed clinical trials, while seventeen clinical trials have now been funded, a remarkable increase from none when Daniher was first diagnosed.

Big Freeze 12 will once again see a host of high-profile Australians hit the ice before the opening bounce at the MCG, with this year’s slider line-up continuing to be unveiled across the coming weeks. Freeze events will also take place across Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while hundreds of community-led fundraisers around the country continue to support the cause.

Fans can join the fight and Play On, for Neale by purchasing a Digital Beanie via Big Freeze, with proceeds helping fund vital MND research and support services.