By Olivia Condous
Local support for the fight against motor neurone disease (MND) continues this month, with the Rockbank Football Sporting Club holding a Big Freeze event on Saturday June 25.
The Western Rams will play the Romsey Redbacks as part of a fundraising event for MND Victoria, in support of club member Ron Lalli-Cafini who is battling the disease.
Stephan Lalli-Cafini said the community support his family had received for his dad was “overwhelming”, but he was thrilled everyone was getting behind the cause.
“Everyone says, footy clubs are brothers… the way the community gets behind it, it’s overwhelming to say the least,” Mr Lalli-Cafini said.
Ron Lalli-Cafini has a long-standing history with the club, having played 200 games and also working as an umpire for the club, earning life membership status.
His son said that he hoped the Western Rams could score a win on the day to make his dad extra happy.
“Hopefully, we can jab one or two wins in the footy, I think that’ll give dad a bit of a bit of a pep.”
The event will finish up with the classic Big Freeze slide, with many club members taking the freezing ice plunge to show their support.
“I think the main highlight is going to be the slide, just everyone getting around each other and having a good laugh,” Mr Lalli-Cafini said.
Western Rams senior coach Marty Weaver said it was important to the club to support a good cause.
“The fact that Ron’s been diagnosed with MND, myself and Stephan decided it would be really good to throw a day together for him,”
“People are really jumping on and supporting the day, so it’s going to be quite big.”
The club will be selling special hoodies on the day, with all proceeds to be donated to MND Victoria.
