Ken Marchingo, Margot Spalding, Margot Falconer, Marika McMahon and Margaret O’Rourke were the latest participants in the ice bucket challenge, which has been circulating the world raising money and awareness for motor neurone disease. 

Ms Spalding said she had been touched by motor neurone disease and while she was skeptical of the challenge at first, she has now seen the benefit. 

"The level of engagement in the community and the amount of money raised has been sensational," she said.

"The disease is truly awful and has had a very low profile in the past but it's starting to change for the better."

Mr Marchingo said the challenge brought people of different backgrounds together for a worthwhile cause. 

"People have varied views about the methodoly of this challenge but I believe anything that encourages people  to help those who  are a bit more disadvantaged can only be a good thing," he said. 

He said everyone knew of someone who had been debilitated by a disease with no cure and this helped work towards a solution. 

 "There are heartbreaking things happen in this world and while research is a slow and painful process... there is no doubt funding facilitates good research which then leads to good outcomes," Mr Marchingo said. 

"This is a way to have some fun while also doing something pretty worthwhile."