AFL fans and pundits have been left stunned after a Queensland couple donated $40 million to FightMND during Big Freeze 12.
The annual charity event, held alongside the King’s Birthday clash between Collingwood and Melbourne, saw thousands of supporters wearing Big Freeze beanies in a powerful show of support. That atmosphere helped inspire an extraordinary act of philanthropy inside the MCG.
Craig Hutchison revealed on The Agenda Setters that Quentin and Kylie Birt had pledged $10 million to FightMND the previous week. But after attending the Big Freeze game, the construction magnates were so moved they lifted their contribution to $40 million.
The couple may have been inspired by the 10 celebrities taking the big slide, or by former NRL star Jai Arrow, who performed the coin toss after his recent MND diagnosis.
This year’s Big Freeze also came only weeks after the death of founder Neale Daniher, who died following his battle with MND.
The panel on The Agenda Setters, including Kane Cornes and Caroline Wilson, were astonished by the donation, and fans quickly shared the same reaction.
“Best footy story of the year,” wrote one fan.
“This is incredible!!” added another.
“Just wow! Incredible from whoever this was,” a third said.
Another commented: “Wow what an amazing gesture, there really are some beautiful people out there.”
Before this weekend, the Big Freeze campaign had raised $140 million for FightMND, underlining just how significant the Birts’ donation is.
The couple are already regarded among Australia’s leading philanthropists. They previously donated $57 million to a life-changing football program in Central Australia.
