NEALE Daniher’s inspirational tenacity and resolve has been recognised, with the football legend named the 2016 Melburnian of the Year.

Daniher, who has raised millions of dollars to fight Motor Neurone Disease — the illness that has gripped him for the past three years — was awarded the prestigious honour during a gala Town Hall ceremony on Saturday night.

He joins fellow Demon legends Ron Barassi and the late Jim Stynes as winners of the award.

Following his MND diagnosis in 2013, Daniher has dedicated his life to raising awareness of the disease, as well as funds for its research.

As the patron and Vice-Chairman of the Cure for MND Foundation, Daniher has played a big role in promoting the ‘Big Freeze at the G’ campaign, which raised $3 million in 2015 then $6 million in 2016. His ‘Daniher’s Drive’ initiative over the past two years has also raised another $2 million for research.

Earlier this year, the 55-year-old received a Member of the Order of Australia, while he has also been nominated for Australian of the Year.

While the disease he’s fighting is incurable at this stage — he’s expecting to be wheelchair-bound at some stage over the next two to three years — his determination to find a treatment and save the lives of others has been truly admirable.

“Daniher’s continued determination to live life to the fullest, and face the challenges this disease brings with courage, humour, and a drive to help prevent the suffering of those that may be diagnosed with this disease in the future, is inspiring,” the City of Melbourne said in a statement.

Asked on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 earlier this year if life was tough away from the cameras and public eye, Daniher said his big smile and infectious laugh was fully transparent.

Daniher, one of 11 brothers and sisters, said there were “not many” down times and that his work to cure MND was a constant motivation.

“I’d rather not have MND and doing all this, but I have. It’s chosen me, I didn’t choose it,” Daniher said.

“I think what we’re doing with the help of everyone out there is a good thing. Maybe a little less suffering in the world isn’t a bad thing. So we keep working and we enjoy what we do.

“We know it’s a long haul. Unfortunately a cure won’t come tomorrow, but we’re like farmers. We’re ploughing the ground, someone’s got to plough the ground.”

To donate or to find out more information about the foundation, tap here. www.curemnd.org.au