VIDEO: Caxton Johannesburg North takes on the Ice Bucket Challenge

About 297 people in South Africa have been diagnosed with motor neuron disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

To raise awareness and funds for this disease the ALS Ice Bucket challenge has been sweeping the globe. Social media is awash with Hollywood A-list actors, sports stars and everyday people who have taken up this challenge, and which is now taking South Africa by storm.

What is the challenge you may ask? Someone issues the challenge to an individual to film themselves being doused with a bucket of ice water within a 24 hour period, or donate money towards ALS research, or both. The individual then makes their own nomination and the cycle continues.

To date there have been in excess of 2.4 million ice bucket-related videos posted on Facebook, and 28 million people have uploaded, commented on or liked ice bucket-related posts.

On image sharing website Instagram there have been 3.7 million videos uploaded with the hashtags #ALSicebucketchallenge and #icebucketchallenge.

In America ALS has received $98.2m from 29 July to 28 August this year, compared with $2.7m donated during the same period last year.

The Motor Neuron Disease Association of South Africa has branches in Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal and their head offices in Cape Town. They are a voluntary organisation whose main concern is the welfare of those suffering with the disease.

Those diagnosed with the disease suffer from weakness, stiffness and resistance to movement in the muscles. Wasting and weakness of muscles in the hands and legs is common as a first symptom. Tongue muscles are also affected with difficulty swallowing and slurring of speech is also common.

Caxton Johannesburg North participated in the challenge after being nominated by the Benoni City Times. Joburg North’s branch manager, Norman Dawe and group editor, Megan Mclean took up the challenge on behalf of the branch. Joburg North will also donate R1 000 to the Motor Neuron Disease Association of South Africa.

Joburg North nominates Caxton Johannesburg North West and Eye Witness News. You have 24 hours to respond!