cmrogersonI don’t know about you but my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feed is full of endless “Ice Bucket Challenges”. So far I have been nominated 5 times. But I am yet to understand how it works. One video said “if you don’t do it you have to donate £100!”. So are people only exposing themselves to all kinds of cold just to avoid paying £100 or do you donate and drench? If it is the former then ALSA, a motor neurone charity is missing out on thousands if not millions of pounds.
ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a form of motor neurone disease that results in the degeneration of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal chord. But how does taking a bucket of ice cold water to one’s body relate to ALS? The momentary shock from the temperature of the water causes a temporary state of paralysis that lasts less than a second. It allows the Nominee to experience the effects of ALS and this empathy encourages donations to ALSA. But I feel that the fundraising message has been lost amongst bikinis and hilarious fails. Luckily, a growing number of celebrities have accepted the challenge and donated their own money and modesty whilst encouraging their fans to do the same. Benedict Cumberbatch went all out in a sketch style icing. Donatella Versace sacrificed her bank balance and her glamour. Even Alec Salmond found the time for a soak, only weeks before the Scottish referendum!
However, there has been two ice bucket related deaths so far. One being of a Scottish teenager who took the challenge to another level and was found four hours after starting the challenge by emergency services in a quarry. The other death was of Corey Griffin, the co founder of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, who drowned in a diving accident in Nantucket. There are unconfirmed reports that he was making an extreme bucketing video.
So, some advice for those partaking in this charitable phenomenon; Donate- don’t just doing it for the vine. Wear appropriate clothing- this charity dare should not be confused with an audition tape for Next Top Model. And finally, try not to make it onto an “Ice Bucket Fail” compilation. Or do. Entertain the world and raise money.