Fight MND Big Freeze's special significance for Cobden coach Adam Courtney

The Bombers leader lost his dad John to motor neurone disease, which has no cure and no known treatment, in December 2015.

Courtney, 39, said he was proud his club and Hampden league rival Camperdown had joined forces to host the fundraiser at Cobden Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

Ten sliders will take the icy plunge to raise awareness before the Bombers and Magpies lock horns.

Courtney said it would be an emotional time, conceding "I don't think I have ever gotten over it".

His father was diagnosed with the insidious illness in June 2012 and battled for more than three years.

"He did really well. It's a process where everything else gets eliminated," Courtney said.

"Playing golf he was feeling weak in the hands and the ball was not going as far as he thought he was hitting it.

"He went and got checked out and unfortunately got the diagnosis which was tough to take.

"To his credit, he was really brave the whole way through. He understood he had a good life, he watched his kids grow up and become parents themselves.

"The biggest thing he was going to miss was seeing his grandchildren grow up."

Courtney, his mum Maria, brother Michael and sister Sarah watched on as John grew weaker.

"With dad, the definition in his upper body started to fade away and he lost strength in his arms and then it was his legs," he said.

"The amazing thing, like most people with motor neurone, is their mind doesn't change at all. They are still sharp as a tack."

The father and son, both avid Western Bulldogs supporters, bonded over football.

John, who was based in Melbourne, was on the sidelines when his eldest child coached Colac and District league club Simpson to back-to-back premierships in 2014-15.

"He made it up for those grand finals and was very supportive and I will never forget running off the ground after the first one and seeing him," Courtney said.

"It was a pretty good moment. I don't know what he'd be thinking now with our record (at Cobden being) 1-7 but he'd be pretty supportive and giving me plenty of advice.

"You definitely do miss that and miss those conversations.

"I have to keep remembering the lessons he taught me about sport and life."

The South West Big Freeze for Fight MND slide will take place between 1pm and 2pm.

"I think any type of publicity to raise more funding and awareness for this disease is vital," Courtney said.

"It is one of those diseases with no cure and no treatment.

"It is also (a heavy burden) on the carers who look after these people.

"MND Victoria do an amazing job getting carers to all these families."

Former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher, who is battling the disease, is using his fight to promote MND.

The Queen's Birthday match between the Dees and Collingwood has become a vehicle for the cause.

Courtney said Monday's Freeze at the 'G, now in its fifth year, was an important fundraiser.

"Hopefully we can do our little part down here in south-west Victoria," he said.

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