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ROBERTSON-BURRAWANG Soccer Club president Damien Plain took the icy plunge for charity on Saturday night.
Plain participated in an ice bucket challenge to raise funds for motor neurone disease (MND) research.
The challenge was among the highlights of the Robertson-Burrawang Rovers Soccer Club’s fourth annual race night.
More than 150 people attended the club’s major fundraising event at the Robertson Bowling Club.
Participants had an entry in pre-recorded horse races on the television.
A large number of attendees dressed up for the occasion and were happy to place a bet on the races.
All funds raised on the night went to the Robertson-Burrawang football club and this year’ charity of choice, Team Rejoyce.
Team Rejoyce is the moniker of Robertson fundraiser Lynda Leith and her friends Natasha Blenkinsopp, Jo Gair and Michelle van Eimeren.
All money raised by Team Rejoyce goes to the Motor Neurone Disease Association of NSW.
The association helped Leith care for her late mother who battled with MND.
Saturday night’s race night helped generate close to $7000, with the club making a donation of more than $2000 to Team Rejoyce.
An auction was held on the night for guests to bid for one of three ice buckets to tip over Plain’s head.
The Highlanders got in the spirit of the occasion with the three buckets fetching $675.
Plain said it was a great effort by all involved.
“I thought we might get $200 for the three buckets, so I got a bit choked up when we raised $675,” he said.
“It was unbelievable, an overwhelming effort.”
The ice bucket challenge was popular on social media in 2014 with the campaign raising funds and awareness for MND research.
The challenge is set to return over the coming month with the launch of the #EveryAugustUntilACure campaign.
Participants are ‘nominated’ for the challenge by a friend, before they nominate other people.
Plain was nominated by the Yerrinbool-Bushrangers Soccer Club first grade men’s team, which took part in the event last September.
In turn, Plain has now challenged all Highlands Soccer Association (HSA) club presidents and HSA manager Michael Hamilton.
Plain said it was a worthy cause to support.
“It’s about raising money and raising awareness.
“MND is a rare condition but it’s also quite common too because people are now more aware about it.”
Plain said Saturday night’s event was a success.
“Attendance numbers were slightly down on last year, but we were over the moon with the support.”