General News
13 June, 2026
Brrrrrilliant result
MONDAY’s Big Freeze at the MCG had a trickle-on effect to Ararat with the Leopold Hotel getting behind the initiative.
The Big Freeze is held every year where celebrities head down a slide into a pool of water and ice to raise money for research into Motor Neurone disease.
It was instigated by former AFL player and coach the late Neale Daniher, who spent the last thirteen years of his life battling the illness while also raising money and support for a cure.
Mr Daniher was farelled by thousands of mourners at a state funeral at the MCG on Wednesday.
The Leopold wanted to do its bit to raise money, with patrons supporting a raffle and barman Aaron Kilpatrick bravely putting his hand up to be part of the ice bucket challenge at half time during the game between Melbourne and Collingwood.
A total of $1,306 was raised from Monday’s efforts.
Organiser Kim Hay said support from customers was magnificent.
“We set a target of $1,000 so we were delighted with the response,” she said.
“We’ll definitely do it again next year. We might even put Bruce (Ahchow) in the hot seat,” she said.
Read More: Ararat