The 2025 crew jumped at the Berry patch on Saturday 12 July. Donations were made on behalf of each person who was brave enough to jump in a freezing cold swimming pool.
For a decade now, Parkes local Kristy Berry and her extended group of friends and family have been raising funds and awareness for MND through The Big Freeze. For the last nine years the group have taken to Kristy’s family pool, with the family donating for each person brave enough to take the plunge.
Kristy’s grandfather, great grandmother and a cousin all passed away from MND.
Kristy said “I have very vivid memories of what this beast actually puts sufferers through.”
“I mainly wanted to help not only raise money but awareness of MND. Prior to Neale Denier and the AFL starting the Big Freeze 11 years ago, there wasn’t much awareness around MND”.This year Kristy wanted to up the ante, so she spoke to Terri and Tony from The Coachman Hotel and both were on board to get involved, and make a night of it.
“Then we approached Bella Thomson and Sammy Dwyer from the Parkes Spacemen to see if they would take to the ice water, and neither hesitated. We auctioned off a 2025 signed Spacemen Jersey and a framed Saint George photo collage.
The Parkes Spacemen Old Boys held their meat raffles and donated the takings on the night,” said Kristy.
There evening was well supported by the Parkes Spacemen, family, friends and the community. Bella, Sam, John and Tony all took to the iced pool and freezing water was poured over them. It was topped off with the band Hope Held Hostage. An impressive $2,750 was raised and plans are already in place for a bigger event in 2026.
If you want to help you can still donate to the cause by following the link https://support.fightmnd.org.au/s/5655/6228.
John, Tony and Krisy on Friday 11 July at The Coachman Hotel. Tony and John both put their hands up and braved the ice cold.