Breaking News - The Ice Bucket Challenge

July 28, 2016 by Joanna Harrison

National breaking news!  

It was dismissed as just another way for those that are part of the social media world to gain more friends, more likes or be part of a craze just 'because', but actually the 2014 Ice Bucket Challenge which was set up to raise funds for ALS (a neurological disorder in which the motor neurons that control muscle function slowly die), today have reported that they have made a breakthrough discovery assisted by this. 

Throughout the summer of 2014 an astronomical amount of people were filmed, literally throwing, or having ice cold water poured over themselves, whilst nominating fellow friends to do the same in the hope of raising awareness and having funds donated to this cause. And it worked - over £100m in the initial 30 day period was reportedly raised enabling research projects to be fully funded.

The newly discovered gene NEK1, of this current incurable disease, is associated with only 3% of ALS cases and reseachers say it gives them a new target for the development of possible treatments.

A massive well done to Rob and everyone that supported this cause!