THE ice bucket challenge has been sweeping the world, but nowhere has done it quite like Warrnambool.
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A whopping 753 people — believed to be a world record — lined up along the main beach and drenched themselves in sea water, raising $6878.30 for motor neurone disease research.
Coast FM breakfast hosts Matthew Monk, Lauren Temuskos and Matty Stewart decided to not only take on the challenge, but to involve the whole community in what could have been the world’s biggest ice bucket event.
Hundreds of people lined the beach to watch the challenge and Stewart said it was an outstanding effort.
“What a wonderful community to come out and support this,” he said.
“It’s all about raising awareness of motor neurone disease and it’s fantastic. There has been a great turnout.”
Originating in the United States, the challenge has swept across social media, with people dumping a bucket of ice-cold water over their heads in an attempt to raise money and awareness for motor neurone disease.
Stewart thanked Rodney Ryan for his initial idea of getting the Warrnambool community involved.
Sam Graham started off the domino-style drenching, throwing a bucket of water over Temuskos.
Sam’s father died from motor neurone disease and Monk put forward $200 so Sam could begin the challenge.
Warrnambool City Council mayor Mike Neoh was the last in the long line of people to be soaked.
He nominated US president Barack Obama, Russian president Vladimir Putin and fellow councillor Peter Hulin to complete the challenge next.
The breakfast show hosts nominated Camperdown, Townsville, Casterton and Geelong as the next places to take up the ice bucket challenge.