Some dismissed it as a stunt - but ice bucket craze has had tangible results
All those soakings were not in vain because scientists say cash raised by the ice bucket challenge craze may have opened a new front in the fight against a devastating illness.
The £90 million raised worldwide for charities battling motor neurone disease (MND) has funded six major research projects.
And these have led to the identification of a new gene which contributes to the progressive neurodegenerative condition.
This, in turn, opens up the possibility of new treatments for the disease, for which there is currently no cure.
On a more local scale, cash and awareness raised have been spent on projects helping sufferers in Scotland.
The legacy of the ice bucket challenge will help us achieve a cure for MND
The ice bucket challenge went viral in the summer of 2014.
Staring in the US to raise money for the ALS Association (ALS is the US name for MND), it captured the imagination like few other charity crazes, with even world leaders taking part.
It was criticised as a stunt – as lazy, self promoting “slacktivism” – by some.
However, this week’s announcement proves that to be wide of the mark, according to Craig Stockton, chief executive of MND Scotland.
He said: “We are thrilled by the announcement of this new gene discovery. The discovery of this new gene helps to fill in another piece of the jigsaw that is MND.
“Whilst further research is needed to understand what part the NEK1 gene plays in the development of MND, it will provide scientists with an important new target for developing new treatments.
“This news shows that continuing to fund vital research is the only way to take us a step closer to finding a cure.
“Building on the success of the ice bucket challenge and the incredible awareness it raised, we have been able to invest more than ever in research, including a further £450,000 investment into projects taking place in Scotland, which we launched last month.
“Through further investment in research and discoveries such as this one, we will find a cure for MND.”
The ice bucket challenge raised nearly half a million pounds for MND Scotland alone – £300,000 of which was spent on cutting edge research and the remainder on supporting those with the illness now.
MND wasn’t the only cause that gained as people doing the challenge would frequently name a range of charities as beneficiaries.
Stockton added: “The ongoing legacy of the ice-bucket challenge is the incredible awareness it raised.
“More people are continuing to donate and fundraise for us, with many stating they had never heard of MND before the challenge and are donating having learned about it.
“We can, we must, and we will find a cure for MND. The legacy of the ice-bucket challenge will help us achieve that goal sooner.”
