A BASINGSTOKE charity has helped to raise the profile of other local causes by taking part in the Ice Bucket Challenge.

The craze, which was started to generate funds and awareness of ALS (motor neurone disease), has now taken on a different form, with charities in the town nominating each other to raise awareness.

The idea came from one of the administrators of Spotted Basing-stoke Facebook group, who nominated the Popley Spotlight Centre, in Shakespeare Road.

Volunteers, staff and users of the centre accepted the challenge with enthusiasm and, pictured above, lined up last Friday to pour buckets of freezing cold water over each other.

The brave participants then nominated other charities in the town, including the National Autistic Society, members of which turned up on the day to take part immediately after the Spotlight Centre.

Michaela Riley, founder of the Spotlight Centre, said: “There’s quite a few people doing it – staff, children and volunteers. We were nominated by Spotted Basingstoke to raise the profile of local charities.

“We’ve nominated Shopmobility, Kids, Action for Children and National Autistic Society Basingsoke.

“We’ve put the ball in their court to see if they are going to come and do it.

“I love what Spotted Basingstoke has done to raise the profile of local charities.”

Michaela’s husband, Jamie, was one of those to take part in the Ice Bucket Challenge, and said: “It was very cold! It’s great. It raises awareness which is what it’s all about.”

Watch the video below.