STAFF at a Newport factory, a Gwent Assembly Member and a Gwent MP got themselves soaked as part of an internet craze to promote fundraising for a motor neurone disease charity.

At syrup manufacturers Clarks more than 20 staff took part in the challenge at their factory on the Queensway Meadows Industrial Estate to raise money for the MND Association.

The company’s managing director Bob Clark said colleagues accompanied him in taking part at the front of their factory on the Queensway Meadow Industrial Estate.

Mr Clark said: “I don’t think any of us were relishing the challenge. But it shows that if we can help raise the monies for the charities then it is a great way.”

And he said he wanted to nominate South Wales Argus staff to take the challenge because the “eyes of the world” will be on the city next week.

He said drums, usually used to contain honey, were used to drench staff further after their first bucket soaking.

The South Wales Argus spoke to Chris Evans MP immediately after he completed the challenge, supported by volunteers, outside his Oakdale office.

He said: “My teeth are chattering. It was cold and wet but is a fantastic cause. It was great the motor neurone group got involved and came down with their buckets.”

Mr Evans, who is the secretary of the all-party parliamentary group on motor neurone disease, said he had been nominated on Wednesday. And he nominated his wife Julia, Blaenau Gwent MP Nick Smith and Mr Smith’s wife Jenny Chapman to undertake the challenge.

Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay completed the challenge for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, based in the UK, which has raised £3 million so far from the challenge.

Mr Ramsay said: “I’m grateful to Duncan Armstrong for nominating me. This is a great idea for a very worthy cause.

“Motor Neurone Disease may only affect a small minority of the population but it is an extremely debilitating disease which has a lasting effect on sufferers and their families. I hope as many people as possible take the challenge and/or donate to MND.”

The world renowned physicist Professor Stephen Hawking, who suffers from motor neurone disease, said he had nominated his three children to take part – but said “it wouldn’t be wise” for him to take the challenge on himself.

Other high profile figures, including Lady Gaga, George W Bush, Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling have taken part and posted their efforts online.

As part of the challenge, nominees have a bucket of water poured over them and then nominate other people to do the same. All people involved are expected to donate money to the MND Association.

* Share your ice bucket challenges with us: Tweet @southwalesargus, leave a link on the Argus Facebook page or email newsdesk@southwalesargus.co.uk.