Busselton has become the state's top fundraiser for FightMND after raising more than $10,000 from the sale of over 400 beanies at Coles in just three weeks.
As part of a six week campaign to raise funds to help find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease, shoppers and team members at Coles Busselton have helped raise more funds than any other Coles store in the state.
In addition to selling beanies, Coles Busselton store manager Melissa Smith put herself forward for an ice bucket challenge to support the worthy cause.
"I told my team if we raised $4,000 they can dunk me and our dry goods manager Scott Fitzgerald and if they reach $10,000 we'll get our regional manager in as well," she said
"I couldn't believe how quickly they reached the target.
"It's the first time that we're selling beanies in the store and they're incredibly popular. I always get a buzz out of seeing customers come in and do their shopping in their FightMND beanies.
"It's been amazing to see how the local community have got behind FightMND, particularly when so many are doing it tough themselves on the back of COVID-19.
"We're incredibly proud to be the top fundraising store in WA and we hope to remain number one with two weeks left to go in the campaign."
Across the country, Coles has so far raised more than $3 million from the sale of the FightMND beanies, and stores in WA's South West have together raised more than $50,000.
FightMND's campaign director Bec Daniher and daughter of AFL legend Neale Daniher said the support of Coles and the Aussie pork farmers, now in its third year, enables FightMND to direct vitally critical funds into the areas of MND research they are needed most.
"We welcome the Coles team and pork farmers to the FightMND Army to help fight the fight against MND," she said.
"We feel incredibly honoured to have them support our foundation in a manner that will have a significant impact on discovering new treatments and ultimately a cure for MND."
"Not only does this partnership raise vital funds for MND medical research, it also provides an amazing national platform for FightMND to mobilise the message and awareness of how devastating the disease is."
In addition to the funds raised from beanies, Coles is also donating 10 cents from the sale of each pack of Coles brand fresh pork product whilst Coles' Aussie pork farmers will donate to the FightMND foundation during the appeal, which runs until June 16.
