Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association thank public as donations hit €1.4m

The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) has revealed that the viral Ice Bucket Challenge craze has resulted in donations totalling 1.4m euro.

It is estimated that as many as half a million people across the country have drenched themselves in ice cold water to raise funds for the association.

IMNDA helps 330 patients and their families deal with the challenges of motor neurone disease.

Dr. Declan Mac Daid, chairman of IMNDA said, “We have been blown away by the generosity of the Irish public, and have watched on almost in disbelief as the total raised kept rising and rising, and people's timelines kept filling and filling.

“We cannot thank people enough for what they did. The focus now is on how the money can best be spent to deal with the needs of those living with motor neurone disease, and their families.”

The IMNDA added the money is to be used in a variety of ways and they are going to undertake consultation with the IMNDA's clients, their families, their carers and supporters of IMNDA on how best to use the rest.

A questionnaire is being readied which will be sent to every patient and user of IMNDA services inIreland to identify where the need is greatest.

Dr Mac Daid added: “The only thing we know for certain is that 25% of the money raised (approximately €350,000) will be given towards clinical research into causes and treatments for MND, led by Professor Orla Hardiman of Trinity College Dublin.

“This will be in addition to funding which the IMNDA already give regularly to support research.”

The final amount will be released at the end of September.

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