HE MIGHT follow Collingwood with a fierce passion, but Myrniong Primary School pupil Jake Werneke has united many in the front against Motor Neurone Disease.
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The grade five pupil has been saving his weekly pocket money, usually spent on footy cards, to help find a cure for MND.
In a few weeks Werneke has raised more than $300 for the Cure for MND Foundation after being inspired by Neale Daniher and the Big Freeze at the Queen’s Birthday clash between Melbourne and Collingwood.
Daniher, a former Essendon footballer and Melbourne coach, was diagnosed with MND last year and has since dedicated his time to educating others about the disease.
Werneke’s teacher, Lidia Lacy, said the youngster’s efforts have had a profound impact on the Myrniong Primary School.
“It was just a small thing he started off with that has got into the community,” Ms Lacy said.
“He's done it all himself.”
Werneke wrote to the junior school council, which helped him raise $300 for the cause through a snail trail collection, which collects only silver coins.
The snail trail raised more than $500, with half put towards the Cure for MND Foundation, while Werneke’s class mates raised a further $42 dollars.
Werneke was presented with a cheque by the junior school council last Friday.
“He’s such an inspirational kid,” Ms Lacy said.
“He's an intelligent boy and he loves his footy.”
Myrniong Primary School has a North Melbourne jumper signed by its players that it also plans to raffle off to help the cause.
