Yes, I’m afraid it is yet another video of someone throwing ice water over themselves. However I would prefer you spent some time reading this post, rather than watching my video. The video is only there to prove I did it, and let’s face it...once you’ve seen one ice bucket challenge video, you’ve seen them all. Ok, so I have had some issues with this whole ice bucket challenge malarkey. Mainly, it’s pissed me off that the whole point (raising awareness of a condition/money for charity) seems to have been lost somewhere along the way, and been replaced by a wet t-shirt competition. It’s annoyed me that mega-rich celebs have used the cover of charity to get exposure rather than use their power to raise awareness...and now it seems like everyone and their dog is doing it just for the sake of it. Despite all the videos in my newsfeed, I really don’t see anybody trying to raise awareness, and I wonder how many people are actually donating money to charity. Inevitably, I have been nominated (thanks Michael & Leo) ) and not one to be a party-pooper, I am rising to the challenge and putting my money where my mouth is. I’m taking this opportunity to try and raise some awareness of relevant issues, so I’m hoping that you’ll read this post and not just watch the video. Here goes... First up, I feel it’s important to point out that ALS is a term used only in America, and for those of us outside the USA we call this condition motor neuron disease. Not much hope of raising awareness if we can’t even get the name right. Find out more about the condition here: mndassociation.org/what-is-mnd UK friends, I would urge you to donate to MNDA, rather than the ALSA. Not being funny, but our American counterparts have millions donated already, and there are plenty people closer to home with the same condition. Charity begins at home ‘n’ all that :) Maltin hbieb tieghi, there doesn’t seem to be a Maltese charity specifically for MND...so if you’re feeling generous, I would urge you to donate instead to Inspire. Inspire provides education, leisure and therapeutic facilities to people with disabilities in Malta and Gozo, find out more here: inspire.org.mt/ I work at Inspire, specifically with a group of clients who are severely disabled due to neurological conditions, so every day I see the challenges faced by individuals with debilitating neurological conditions such as MND. I also see the importance of charitable donations, and the massive difference these can make to people’s lives. You can donate to Inspire here: inspire.org.mt/get-involved/donations/one-time-donation/ Or if you like their Facebook page here: https://facebook/inspire.malta/app_205064412868242 then Times of Malta will donate money to them on your behalf. Another issue I’ve had with this ice bucket craze is that it is a massive waste of clean, safe water, which seems a bit ridiculous when there are people in this world dying from a lack of just that, and numerous charities out there are attempting to promote awareness of the importance of saving water. Find out more about this here: wateraid.org/uk/what-we-do/the-crisis/water Before you ask, I used sea water for my challenge. I am already a ‘friend of Inspire’ and make a monthly donation towards the foundation (you can become a friend here: inspire.org.mt/get-involved/donations/become-a-friend/ ) and on payday I will be making donations to MNDA and WaterAid. I would love it if this post inspired some of you to make a donation, or at least click on the links and find out more. Instead of watching videos of people throwing water over their heads, spend some time finding out about motor neuron disease or the water crisis, and the charities out there helping. Ok, rant over *dismounts high horse* I would like to nominate my staff team at STAR 25 to take up the ice bucket challenge. Michael & Elaine you guys are off the hook as you’ve already done it, so that leaves Holly Cairns, Alberto Loren, Priscilla Bugeja, Marika Schembri, Abigail Farrugia, Iolanthe Cutajar & Joseph Curmi. Bring a change of clothes to work tomorrow and I will happily throw icy cold water over the lot of ya! *evil laugh* :P
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 16:47:47 +0000
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