The Belgrave Police Station front car park was transformed into a scene of laughter, ice-cold challenges, and the community’s generosity as the locals gathered for the Big Freeze 2025 event on Monday, 2 June, from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm, police officers, local personalities, and members of the public braved the chilly waters for a cause close to the heart – raising funds and awareness for Motoneuron Disease (MND).
The Belgrave Police officers took a chilly plunge, with buckets of iced water poured over them in solidarity with those living with MND. The ice challenge, which has become a highlight of fundraising campaigns across the country, was a chance for the police force to come together with the community and show their support for the cause.
Belgrave Police’s Jason Fox said the idea to participate in the Big Freeze came from a desire to not only raise funds but also to spark important conversations about MND.
“We saw this as a great cause and an opportunity to promote awareness in a way that the community could get behind,” Mr Fox said.
“It’s an event that brings people together, and the ice challenge itself was just the right kind of fun to engage people while still focusing on the seriousness of the cause.”
While the idea of having buckets of ice-cold water poured over officers might seem intense to some, Mr Fox assured that the team was more than happy to participate.
“Everyone on the team was excited to use their platform to raise awareness about MND,” he said.
“It was a great way for us to engage with the community. We were more than happy to do the challenge, it’s all for a good cause.”
In a twist on the traditional event format, local personalities also joined in on the icy action, helping amplify the message even further – with many of them having a significant online presence, their involvement ensured that the event reached far and wide across social media platforms, encouraging even more people to join in and contribute.
“The local personalities really made a difference. They have strong social media followings and helped us expand the reach of the event,” Mr Fox said.
“Their involvement meant that more people in the community could be part of the Big Freeze in a meaningful way.”
One of the most exciting parts of the event was the involvement of local figures like the Belgrave Wizard Baba Desi, who tipped a bucket of ice over Senior Sergeant Cassandra Forbe, the Officer in Charge of the station.
It’s these fun moments that gave the event a personal touch and showcased the sense of community that was so evident throughout the afternoon.
“It was so exciting to see people from all around Victoria come to join us for the event,” Mr Fox said.
“It’s amazing to see the community come together to raise awareness, and the fact that we raised over $500 in funds and sold another $500 in merchandise was a great result for the cause.”
Beyond the ice baths and community festivities, the event also served as an important educational opportunity.
Many attendees were unfamiliar with Motoneuron Disease, a debilitating condition that affects the nervous system and ultimately leads to the degeneration of muscle control.
For Mr Fox and the Belgrave Police Station, raising awareness through events like these is key to creating a better understanding of the disease.
“Events like these encourage people to look up Motoneuron Disease, to learn more about the impact it has on individuals and families, and to ultimately contribute towards funding research,” Mr Fox said.
As the event wrapped up, it was clear that the Big Freeze 2025 had been a resounding success. The community responded positively, coming together to raise funds, have fun, and, most importantly, make a difference.
“It was really heartwarming to see how many people got involved. I think we’ve raised not just funds but awareness and created a lasting impact on the community,” he said.
In total, the event raised $1000 for Motoneuron Disease research, proving that even a little bit of ice can make a big splash when it’s for a worthy cause.
For those who missed out, there are still ways to contribute and support MND research through donations and merchandise, with more information available at the Belgrave Police Station.
