Mayor of Newham does the Ice Bucket Challenge
The Mayor of Newham joined millions across the world today when he got cold and wet completing the Ice Bucket Challenge, in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
The Ice Bucket Challenge went viral on social media this summer starting in the US and travelling via the internet to the UK. It involves filming a bucket of ice cold water over the participants head to promote awareness of the disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Participants then get to nominate 2 others to complete the challenge, who have 24 hours to comply or forfeit by the way of a charitable donation, here in the UK many participate for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham, nominated by another councillor Ellie Robinson, was inspired by the pro-UK Better Together campaign’s director of Research Gordon Aikman’s story of being diagnosed with MND.
Sir Robin Wales took his challenge watched by more then 100 delighted council staff and councillors outside Newhams dockside, saying: “That was freezing! But I’m glad I took part. This challenge has captured the mood and imagination of the nation and I’m proud I, and Newham Council, are a part of it.”
The Mayor went on to nominate Deputy Mayor Lester Hudson, Newham’s Young Mayor Adam Khaliq and Councillor Joy Laguda, Chair of Newham Council, to take the challenge.
As Sir Robin explained “Currently life with Motor Neurone Disease is a death sentence as Gordon Aikman has described and I hope that donations raised through this challenge in the UK and across the world help to escalate research towards finding a cure, as well as supporting those individuals and families who are currently living with the disease.”
Robin made a personal donation and a collection outside the dockside made £150, with further contributions from councillors being texted in to MNDA.
To donate to MNDA: text ICED55 £5 (or other amount) to 70070, visit www.justgiving.com/mndassoc or call 01604 611 860 referencing Ice Bucket Challenge. Meanwhile you can watch The Mayor of Newham complete his.