Newark MP Robert Jenrick gets a soaking in the ALS ice bucket challenge
There was applause in Newark Market Place this morning as Robert Jenrick MP got a drenching after accepting the ALS ice bucket challenge.
Mr Jenrick (Con) sat on the steps of the Buttermarket as a plasterer's mixing bucket filled with cold water and ice cubes was tipped over his head by rather gleeful-looking wife Michal and his Newark constituency secretary Sue Gray.
His drenching was then met with a round of applause as reward for the pluck he'd so publicly exhibited.
Mr Jenrick accepted the charity fundraising challenge set by Conservative party supporter and war hero Johno Lee.
The object is to raise awareness and research funds for Motor Neurone Disease by being filmed having a bucket of iced water dumped on your head, nominating three others to do the same and uploading the footage onto social media, using the hashtag #icebucketchallenge or #MND
The Advertiser made Mr Lee's nomination known to Mr Jenrick who was only to happy to take up the challenge.
However, in return, he nominated the Advertiser's news editor, Dan Churcher along with Sherwood MP Mark Spencer and the chairman of Newark Business Club, Michelle Allen.
Mr Jenrick said immediately after his soaking: "It took my breath away. I'm very muck looking forward to seeing your's Dan.
"It's a great cause and much fun although I see Johno did his on holiday in Cyprus and jumped straight in the swimming pool so I'll be questioning him over parity."
Speaking from Cyprus, former soldier Mr Lee, who lost a leg following a blast in Afghanistan, said: "I was trying to think of people who would be just as up for it as me and I knew Robert would be."
A whole host of celebrities have taken up the challenge, from Cristiano Ronaldo to Ben Affleck and Kate Moss to the Beckhams.
Both sides of the Scottish independence vote in the shape of Alistair Darling and Alex Salmond have taken part as has former U.S. President George W. Bush.
The Prime Minister David Cameron declined and gave a donation instead.