It is not your conventional method of icing an injury but Tara Andrews will go to extreme lengths for an ongoing hamstring complaint when she plunges herself from the balcony at No.1 Sportsground into a pool of icy water.
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It is all in the name of a good cause.
The elite footballer, who made 59 W-League appearances for the Newcastle Jets between 2009 and 2016 before taking last season off, has committed to the Big Freeze in Newcastle on June 17.
She will be one of several Newcastle identities taking on a giant slide leading to a pool of ice-cold water.
The event has been run at the MCG for the past two years and raises funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease.
“A friend of mine contacted me about doing it and I said yes straight away,” Andrews said.
“I think it’s a great cause and there’s no cure for MND so any awareness and help we can give will be good.”
Jets goalkeeper Claire Coehlo is also taking part and urged Novocastrians to flock to No.1 Sportsground on the day to show their support for a disease which claims two lives in Australia every day.
“It’s a disease that touches so many people and the awareness is really needed, so come down and support it, I’m sure it will be a good laugh as well,” Coelho said.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes will be at the top of the purpose-built slide sending Andrews and Coehlo on their way, along with former AFL player and radio breakfast host Nick Gill, Leah Jay, Genesis Fitness Club director John Pirlo, Hunter Academy of Sport’s Brett O’Farrell and former Australian cricketer Anthony Stuart.
Newcastle’s Phil Camden has the incurable disease and has brought the Big Freeze to town.
“I am committing all the time I have left to do what I can to support those living with MND and realise a future where the doctors can say to people like me that they have a cure,” Camden said.
Sliders will be in action from 4pm. There will also be jumping castles, face painting, food, merchandise and Black Diamond AFL all day.
A Gala Ball will be held that night in the Wests Starlight Room, New Lambton.
More information can be found at www.newcastlefreeze.com or www.facebook.com/BigFreezeNewcastle.