Fundraiser participants and Mathoura Football Netball Club members Kat Wippel and Mark Fisher passed the donation tin around at Saturday’s home game against Jerilderie.
By the time the pair joined in the icy Edward River plunge on Sunday morning, they had collected almost $400 through tin rattling.
Ms Wippel and Mr Fisher were among 16 to run into the Edward for the annual Motoro Neurone Disease fundraiser.
So far the combined fundraising tally is more than $1000, with a few donations yet to count.
“We (Mark and I) have known the guys from Werribee (who organise the fundraiser) for a long time, but because of our Mathoura Football Netball Club commitment we cannot participate in their pub tour on the Saturday.
“So we were told we would have to do the jump into the river instead.
“It’s just such a good cause to get behind, but yesterday would probably be the coldest that river has been.”
Ms Wippel and Mr Fisher have participated in every Deni Big Freze held since 2018, making Sunday their fourth jump.
There was no jump last year because of COVID-19 restriction.
They also missed the 2017 event, as it was an impromptu one.
A group of long-time Deniliquin visitors from Melbourne ran into the Edward River that year in honour of their friend and family member Bob Tottle, who had just been diagnosed with MND.
That initial crazy idea has become a popular and successful fundraiser ever since, with locals like Ms Wippel, Mr Fisher and Ross Taylor taking part each year.
According to the Water NSW daily river reports, the Edward River was about 10°C when the fundraiser took their dip on Sunday.
Out of the water, the temperature was not much higher.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the mercury was sitting at 12.5°C for the midday dip. Strong winds with a recorded speed of 32km/h were also recorded at the time.
12°C