Almost a year ago to the day it was hot enough outside that we were all quite happy to pour buckets of iced water over ourselves.
What made it even more fun was that in doing so we were all raising awareness of motor neurone disease (MND) and money for associated charities.
Fast forward 12 months, and with the average temperature only about 13 degrees, we’re probably more likely to want to walk over hot coals than pour iced water over our heads but regardless of whether the ice bucket challenge is a hit again this summer MND Scotland – who have launched a new JustGiving website in case it is – says awareness of MND is only going to rise.
“In America, the 2015 ice bucket challenge was launched on August 1, with several baseball teams taking part already, as well as Justin Beiber,” a spokesperson for MND Scotland, said.
“Whether it will take off here again who knows? But it would be absolutely fantastic if it did, and this time we’re ready for it!
“Last year, in Scotland, our launch date was August 14 … so let’s see what happens!”
MND Scotland raised an incredible £450,000 from the craze last year – making it its most successful fundraising campaign.
Of that money, £300,000 has been earmarked for research that will look at bringing together MND care and research functions in order to improve the existing care of people affected by MND and to provide essential data that will allow future care to be better tailored to an individual’s needs.
This will form a foundation for developing and establishing focused clinical research.
A further £100,000 has been used to create a new fund to improve the lives of those affected by MND, by a variety of means, such as meeting the costs of purchasing specialist equipment or carrying out building adaptations to their home.
£50,000 has also been used to continue, and expand, the successful Time to Live grants that help towards the cost of a holiday or other ‘time out’ activity.
The spokesperson continued: “The ice bucket challenge was a complete social media and fundraising phenomenon for MND Scotland, but we are still experiencing the high from it and are yet to encounter a dip.
“With the number of people signing up for our fundraising events being higher than ever, it seems, even without another ice bucket challenge, support and awareness of MND is only going to rise, and for that we will be forever thankful to everyone who took part last year.”
If you decide to take part in this year’s Ice Bucket Challenge share your video with MND Scotland on its Facebook page and don’t forget to donate either by texting ICED48 £5 (or any amount up to £5) to 70070 or online at its Ice Bucket Challenge JustGiving site.
