Ice bucket challenge credited with a medical breakthroughalsagoldenwest/ YouTubeThe Ice Bucket challenge that saw celebrities like Justin Bieber and Renee Zellweger dump buckets of cold ice on their heads is being credited with helping find a gene that causes a deadly motor neurone disease. READ MORE:* Springboks' ice bucket challenge for All Blacks* Top 10 ice bucket challenges* Facebook reveals its top topics for 2014Mytchall BransgroveAbout 300 New Zealanders live with the deadly disease that affects neurons in the brain and spinal chord. Here, the Motor Neurone Disease Association said that Kiwis donated $15,000 a month, up from a typical contribution of $2000 per month. President Barack Obama declined the challenge but made a donation, while former president George W Bush was also doused with a bucket of ice. The challenge went viral in winter 2014 when many athletes and celebrities poured ice water over their heads to help raise awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease or motor neurone disease.

Source: Stuff July 28, 2016 05:03 UTC