GM gets dunked for MND

Club General Manager Neil Boyd got a frostier reception than usual at practice tonight as he took part in the ice bucket challenge (with VERY enthusaistic help from Aodhan Hamill and Kevin O'Hare) to raise awareness for Motor Neurone Disease.

There is a link to baseball, with the disease being known as Lou Gehrig’s disease in some circles, named after the Hall of Fame New York Yankee. The ice bucket challenge, which has developed into a social media phenomenon, was started by Pete Frates, a former standout player at Boston College after being diagnosed with MND, or ALS as it’s known in the US.

In the UK, the challenge is supporting the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Neil Boyd said:

‘ The poignant story of Lou Gehrig’s untimely passing made us, as players and fans of the game, very much aware that MND is a devastating terminal illness.

‘We know donations will help the MNDA with research and patient care; we are proud to be associated with the charity and this challenge and hope it helps raise awareness of this deadly disease’

Jennifer Maloney, a volunteer with the MNDA in Northern Ireland said she was ‘heartened’ to see so much awareness of the terminal condition which affects around 120 in NI at any one time.

‘My family had never even heard of motor neurone disease until my Daddy was diagnosed with it in August 2012. He died on Good Friday this year. MND is classed as a rare disease so all awareness will help with funding and research.

‘It is called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease in America and it’s great that the craze for the ice bucket challenge has come to our shores now.

‘So many celebrities and sporting icons have already taken part in the challenge – the ALS association in America has reported a 1000% spike in donations, something I hope will happen in the UK too.’

To donate, text iced55 followed by the amount to 70070.

www.mndani.com

@MNDA_NI

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