Global MND Awareness Day – 10 years on from the Ice Bucket Challenge

MND Scotland is marking Global MND Awareness Day on Friday, 21 June by highlighting that, 10 years on from the viral phenomenon that was the ice bucket challenge, the motor neuron disease (MND) community still needs help to fund ground-breaking research into effective treatments and a cure. 

In 2014, the ice bucket challenge grew organically to raise a phenomenal $220m globally with 28 million videos uploaded in 159 countries. 

£500,000 was raised for MND Scotland, which has been used to fund research and support people in Scotland living with MND.   

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This may cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe. 

Rachel Maitland, CEO of MND Scotland said: “Awareness of motor neuron disease has never been higher. The ice bucket challenge no doubt played a part in bringing MND to the forefront 10 years ago but we need to keep up the momentum, so everyone knows what MND is, and how brutal the disease is for those who are diagnosed.  

“As a charity dedicated to supporting people with MND, and giving them hope by funding vital research, we endeavour to raise awareness every day. But Global MND Awareness Day is an opportunity to highlight that people with MND still need support. And we need to fund research to find effective treatments and a cure.” 

Jim Maxwell was diagnosed with MND in February 2020 following the onset of symptoms, including twitching. He lives in Edinburgh and has two daughters. Jim said: “Ten years ago I took on the ice bucket challenge because I was nominated on Facebook. I didn’t know what it was raising money for, or what MND was. Ironically, six years later I was diagnosed with the disease. While living with MND is challenging, I want to do everything I can to raise awareness of the disease and improve understanding of how it impacts people.” 

This year, MND Scotland is supporting a range of activities to remember the ice bucket challenge and raise vital funds. One supporter, Greg Proctor, is taking on a daily ice bucket throughout 2024 in memory of his dad who passed away from MND. Last month, MND Scotland ran a Dip a Day in May fundraiser with supporters taking on a daily cold-water challenge.  

Over the summer, we will be asking everyone to share their videos and text ICED to 70085 to donate £10. 

Support MND Scotland’s ice bucket fundraising by visiting our website, or on Just Giving.