HUNDREDS of people flocked to Barham’s Riverside Park on Friday afternoon, throwing their support behind motor neurone disease.
Around 40 people participated in the ice bucket challenge and had water poured over their heads, with others going along to watch.
The weather played a perfect backdrop, with the blue sky and warm temperatures seeing a large crowd in attendance.
Organiser Tish Conder said she was thrilled with the turnout.
The town of Barham got behind the cause in support of research as well as to donate money to one of its own residents, Dean ‘Dinga’ Mates, who has suffered from the disease for 18 months.
“When it’s one of your own that suffers from this, you want to do all you can to show your support,” Tish said.
“I’m so impressed with the turnout, I wish I could get this many people to a town meeting,” she laughed.
“We have received donations from areas not expected.”
At last count, the town had raised more than $3000.
“We will be sending some to research, and the rest will go to Dean,” Tish said.
Dean said he was overwhelmed with the amount of support he had received from locals.
“It is a really horrible disease that has only really now been recognised,” he said.
“Thank you very, very much to my family and friends.
“Thank you to Tish for organsing this event as well.”
He described the day as “terrific”.
Barham is the first local town to get behind the ice bucket challenge together, with 40 people participating in it at once.
Officially, Tish has now nominated the towns of Swan Hill and Kerang to get on board and do the same.
“It’s a wonderful thing to be able to get the community involved,” she said.
“Everyone has been keen to jump on board and show their support.”
