Since his diagnosis with motor neurone disease in 2013, football identity Neale Daniher has put aside his own suffering to push for research into a cure to the devastating condition.

He is the face of Monday's 'Big Freeze 2' event – in which footballers and celebrities are to be dunked in an icy cold pool before the Collingwood-Melbourne match at the MCG.

Former football player and coach Neale Daniher has been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday Honours for his work to find a cure for motor neurone disease. Credit:Michael Dodge

Last year, the event raised more than $2 million for research into MND and since then Daniher has campaigned tirelessly for the Cure for MND Foundation. The disease has an average 27-month life expectancy from diagnosis.

Daniher's efforts have been recognised with a Member of the Order of Australia award in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.