Coles, with the support of its customers, pork farmers and suppliers, have achieved a new fundraising record for FightMND with more than $9.3 million raised for Big Freeze 10.
The funds raised takes the retailer’s overall fundraising for FightMND to nearly $40 million in seven years. This is invested into motor neurone disease (MND) research and treatments as well as care initiatives for Australians living with MND.
Funds were raised from the sales of Big Freeze Beanies and Socks as well as popular supermarket items such as Coles Brand Fresh Australian Pork products, Pepsi Max soft drinks and specially marked Big Freeze 10 Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate blocks and Peters Icy Poles. Customers also gave generously at the checkout across Coles supermarkets and Coles Liquor stores.
Coles Chief Commercial Officer Anna Croft thanks customers, suppliers and team members for their record-breaking support.
“Coles is delighted to have raised a record amount for FightMND in their milestone year. We’re incredibly grateful to all our customers, Aussie pork farmers and suppliers like Cadbury, Peters Ice Cream and Asahi Beverages for their generosity and support for Big Freeze 10,” she says.
“We’re also extremely proud of our team members who embraced this Big Freeze like never before, partnering with local communities and businesses to run DIY Big Freeze events, supporting BBQs at local sports clubs and of course, conducting their own store ice bucket challenges.
“We hope the funds raised will go a long way in helping FightMND to find a cure for MND and to help support the health of the thousands of Australians who are affected by this cruel disease.”
FightMND Campaigns Director Bec Daniher says Coles’ fundraising efforts helped FightMND to reach a final tally of over $20.1 million in its Big Freeze 10 campaign.
“10 years of the Big Freeze has helped FightMND make targeted investments into projects focused on developing new treatments and driving discoveries towards a cure,” she says. “The funds raised during Big Freeze 10 will help continue this work.”