When 15-year-old Valerie Lüll (pictured) came from Heidelberg to Portugal for her annual holiday with her grandmother, little did she know that her friend Philip Hofmeister would throw a bucket of ice cold water over her.
Grandmother Uschi Kuhn, Vice President of Almancil International Rotary Club, has organised many fund-raising activities for the club and decided now was the time to launch an ice bucket challenge and Valerie was to be her first ‘victim’.
As everyone knows by now, the challenge involves throwing a bucket of ice water on someone’s head to promote awareness of the disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), perhaps better known as motor neurone disease (MND) and encourage donations to help sufferers in Portugal.
MND is a progressive disease that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting.
The challenge dares nominated participants to be filmed or photographed having a bucket of ice water poured on their heads and then nominating others to do the same. A common stipulation is that participants have to comply or forfeit by way of a financial donation.
“It is a terrible disease,” said Uschi. “Whilst brain function often remains perfectly clear, it leaves sufferers totally helpless and dependant on others, and eventually it kills them.”
Half those affected die within 14 months of the diagnosis, 40% within two to five years, whilst the remaining 10% can survive for up to 10 years (source ALSTDI).
The British scientist Professor Stephen Hawking is not only the world’s most famous sufferer, but also its longest survivor.
“When I heard about the ice bucket challenge I met with Joachim Hartl, General Manager of the Conrad Algarve, who immediately offered to host the challenge at the hotel.”
The Ice Bucket Challenge will be held on Sunday, September 28 at the Conrad Hotel starting at 4pm. “I challenge everyone to take part,” said Uschi. Even if people don’t want to take part, they can come along and join in the fun for an entrance donation of €10.
To enter, please contact:
916357718 (Uschi) | [email protected]
