Bunbury's FreezeFest benefit concert to raise money for motor neurone disease announces lineup

But young McLeish was inspired to help and has just announced the lineup for his FreezeFest benefit concert for the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Western Australia.

Featuring Zoë Dellaca, My Name's Jeff, Carnivorous Jam, Colourbound and Hannah Smillie, McLeish’s own band Volatus will also play at the charity gig.

McLeish said he’s been surprised by everyone’s willingness to help raise money for the concert.

“This started as a bit of a reunion gig between a couple of bands that are on the lineup but then my grandfather passed away from MND in February and I just said ‘let’s make this a benefit gig’ and we just went from there,” he said. 

“Having an 18-year-old putting on a benefit concert is not something you hear of every day but everyone wants to be a part of it, it’s been really nice especially given the circumstances that made me want to put this together.”

McLeish said it was heartbreaking to watch his grandfather suffer with the degenerative disease.

“I found out my grandfather was diagnosed with MND in November last year and then he was gone at the end of February,” he said.

“You know, it was really sad and it was always going to be really sad but to watch someone feel like that and be the way he was…

“Not a lot of people know what motor neurone disease is so we want to do this show more for the awareness, but obviously the money is great to help towards treatment and research.”

Rock n Roll High and Bunnings Treendale are donating prizes for the raffle, with the main prize being signed memorabilia from West Coast Eagles star Andrew Gaff.

McLeish is hoping for a great turnout to help raise as much awareness and funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Western Australia as possible.

The FreezeFest benefit concert will be held at the Elliot Street Blues Club on Sunday, July 16. Tickets are available from trybooking.com/book/event?eid=287730.