By RUSSELL BENNETT
JUST hours before the Big Freeze 2 at the MCG on Monday, Berwick business P3 held its own ‘Little Freeze’.
Former St Kilda star and Narre Warren and Beaconsfield coach Aussie Jones runs P3 Sports and Recovery alongside great mate and two-time premiership winning coach with Cora Lynn, Travis Marsham.
On Monday, the pair held the first ever ‘Little Freeze’ in honour of P3’s new swim instructor, Paula Olsson, whose husband suffers from Motor Neurone Disease.
After listening to Neale Daniher’s story on the radio on the way into work recently, Marsham – together with Jones – was inspired to act.
They made use of the facilities already at P3 – such as its ice bath – for the event.
It was only $100 per nomination, plus a gold coin donation for anyone who wanted to go along and watch. All the money went straight to the Cure for MND Foundation, just like the Big Freeze at the MCG.
A big crowd gathered to watch, with Jones, Sam Curtis from Myomax, local identity Frank Welburn, former Essendon player and St Kilda recruit Jake Carlisle, and Australian fast bowler James Pattinson just a few of those who took the plunge on Monday.
Marsham was the last to enter the icy water – which he made even colder earlier in the day by dumping nine bags of ice into the pool that was already set to 10 degrees.
Getting right into the spirit of the occasion, he took the plunge fully-clothed – despite not having a change of clothes to wear afterwards.
Jones was earlier joined in the water by his wife Kate and their little boy Kai, who was the first to jump after raising his own $100.
Marsham said he hopes the Little Freeze becomes an annual event, with the aim of making next year’s version even bigger and better.
All up, $1900 was raised at Monday’s event, which was then matched dollar-for-dollar by the Federal Government.
