Neurology Research Team take on the Ice Bucket Challenge

The Neurology Research Team, who are responsible for co-ordinating clinical trials into neurodegenerative diseases, including MND, work with industry sponsors to carry out well-designed clinical trials and provide the opportunity with patients who have these diseases to take part in the trials.

The team who took on the Ice Bucket Challenge were:

Corinna Mossop, Clinical Trials Manager
Alison Anderson, Research Nurse (Neurology Research)
Mary-Jo Trimmer, Research Nurse (Neurology Research)
Joshua Williams, Psychologist/Clinical Studies Officer (Neurology Research)
Phoebe Radford-Foley, Placement Student (Neurology Research)
Eleanor Farnham, Placement Student (Neurology Research)
James Rann, Placement Student 
Eleanor Perrett, Placement Student

One after another they tipped a bucket of iced water over their head and made their nominations, including Joe Teape, Deputy Chief Executive, to take on the challenge.

MND is a progressive disease that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting.

MND can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. However, not all symptoms necessarily happen to everyone and it is unlikely they will all develop at the same time, or in any specific order. Although there is currently no cure for MND, symptoms can be managed to help patients achieve the best possible quality of life.

Tracy Thomas, MND Care Network Co-ordinator for the South West Peninsula at Plymouth Hospitals, explains: “Right now, the news is full of celebrities pouring buckets of iced water over their heads, to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease (or ALS as it is known in the USA). Now it's come here and we want to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

“Approximately, two people per 100,000 will be diagnosed with MND each year and seven people per 100,000 are living with the disease at any one time. In Devon and Cornwall there are 135 people with MND.

“So, what do you do? Fill a bucket with ice cubes and water, hold it above your head and pour it over your head, while someone videos the whole thing. You then donate money to MND Association by texting ICED55 followed by the amount to 70070. Once you have done, it you can challenge someone else, colleagues, friends, managers. If they take the challenge, they donate too, but if they opt not to, they have to pay a forfeit amount. Share your videos on the MNDA Facebook page and let's raise some cash to fight this disease."

Watch the video below.