​Charity fundraiser one of 2014's big social media hits

A global charity fundraiser was the second most talked about subject on Facebook in the UK over the past year.

The ice bucket challenge – where people were encouraged to film themselves being doused with cold water – was an internet viral sensation.

Participants nominated a charity, named others to take part and then shared the video on social media.

Major beneficiaries included motor neurone disease charities and Macmillan.

The challenge – which received high profile celebrity endorsement (see below) – came second only to the UK’s biggest news story – the Scottish independence referendum.

Globally, it came fifth, behind the World Cup, the Ebola outbreak, the Brazilian elections and Robin Williams’ death.