It takes a lot to catch a seasoned live TV veteran completely off guard, but last month, Sam Mac was almost left speechless after a guest's surprise request.
The moment happened as the Sunrise weatherman was joined by Neale Daniher's wife, Jan, for a live segment to launch the annual Big Freeze event, which helps raise money for FightMND.
The iconic event, taking place on Monday June 8 at the MCG before the AFL game between Melbourne and Collingwood, will see a bunch of famous names dress up in costumes and hurl down a massive slide directly into a pool filled with ice water, symbolising the 'freezing' effect that motor neurone disease has on the body.
Hamish Blake is one of the many celebrities to have taken part in the Big Freeze over the years.
"I was told leading into it (the segment) that Jan had a surprise announcement," Sam told news.com.au. "I thought Jan was maybe going to tell us what the costume theme for this year was … and then live on the air Jan said that Neale had requested that he would like me to be one of the sliders!"
"It's rare that I'm surprised in my own segment, but that's how it unfolded," Sam said.
Once the initial shock wore off, Sam quickly agreed to take the plunge. On Monday, he will be joined by fellow famous faces including Andy Lee, Dale 'Daisy' Thomas, and even the Governor-General of Australia, Sam Mostyn AC.
What is MND?
FightMND is a charity that was established in 2014 by AFL legend Neale Daniher, following his own diagnosis in 2013. The beloved former player and coach tragically passed away last week after a brave battle with the condition, which causes weakness in the muscles and eventually leads to paralysis.
While some people can live a long life with MND, the average life expectancy is 27 months from diagnosis. Currently there is no cure, but FightMND hopes to change that and has raised $150 million to increase awareness and fund vital research to improve the quality of life for those living with the cruel condition.
Neale Daniher was the 2025 Australian of the Year.
For Sam Mac, it's deeply personal
There is a reason Sam Mac was so quick to accept the offer to be a Big Freeze slider. He has a personal connection to MND, having lost his mate, Chris Grigg, to the disease in 2022. Sam's uncle Laurie, who lives in Victoria, is also currently battling the condition after being diagnosed in 2019.
"It's really hard," Sam said about his uncle's fight. "He's very stoic, much like Neale was. Laurie was always doing road trips and would often drive his caravan over to South Australia to visit us when I was growing up … but he can't drive anymore as he's in a mobility scooter, and they've had to sell the caravan."
"It's really sad," Sam continued. "He hasn't had that opportunity to explore with his grandkids and do things that I imagine he was planning to do." But rather than dwell on the negatives, Sam says his uncle has been deeply inspired by Neale Daniher's message to "play on" and focus on what he can control.
True to form, Laurie buys a FightMND beanie every single year, and he will be wearing his with pride in the MCG stands on Monday as he watches his nephew take his icy plunge. "For me, that moment alone will be worth every freezing second," Sam said.
Going big on the icy outfit
Each year, the celebrity sliders are given a costume theme. For Big Freeze 12, the brief is 'people you admire'. "I don't know what I'm wearing yet, and I'm not just saying that to be secretive," Sam told news.com.au. "I'm brainstorming at the moment so I'm open to suggestions." Despite leaving it to the eleventh hour, Sam guarantees his costume will be nothing short of spectacular.
"I don't want to be that person at the dress up party who wears a T-shirt and just writes something on it," the TV star said. "Nope, I'm all in, with me it's go big or go home."
How you can help find a cure for MND
Footy fans heading to AFL matches this weekend will have the opportunity to buy the famous Big Freeze beanies, caps, or socks at the game to help raise funds to fight MND. The items can also be purchased from Coles, Bunnings and Reddy Express stores, alongside newly introduced 'digital beanies' which are available online.
Sam acknowledges that cost-of-living pressures mean many Aussies are doing it tough at the moment, but he encourages everyone to help out if they can. "The fact that there's no cure and that the average lifespan is so short when people are diagnosed, I mean, we have to do something about that," he said. "We can't just lay down and accept it."
"As someone who has lost a friend to it and has an uncle battling it right now, I'd say that it's not just about the dollars. It's about the awareness and the hope that it gives their families, their friends and the people going through MND. If you can afford to help out, you'll feel good about it," the Sunrise presenter said. "Do it in Neale's honour."
You can catch all the Big Freeze 12 action on Monday June 8 from 2pm AEST on Seven and 7plus Sport.
