A daring dive for MND on Global ALS/MND Day

Trevor Bailey is braving his second ice-cold plunge into Lake Wānaka as a fundraiser for 2026 MND Action Month. The daring dive off the Wānaka wharf is planned for 10 am on Global ALS/MND Awareness Day and New Zealand’s winter solstice, Sunday 21 June. It's Trevor’s version of the popular Ice Bucket Challenge undertaken by millions of people across the globe since its inception in 2014.

Having an ice-filled bucket of water tipped over your head is challenging for most, but Trevor’s lake plunge is extra courageous – the water is fed by glaciers, the wharf’s inhabitants include two-metre eels, and Trevor was diagnosed with MND in 2023, aged 62.

Weakness in his hands was Trevor’s first inkling something was wrong, which he noticed in 2022 while working in his Wānaka therapeutic massage business. A year later, his MND diagnosis changed everything including plans he and his family had for moving overseas.

“My main issue now is upper body arm strength and hand strength and dexterity along with tiredness. However, I’m grateful for a slow progression at this stage and I still manage 20 laps of breath stroke wearing a flotation belt,” says Trevor. 

“Mt Iron is behind my house, and I can still get up there with hiking poles.”

Karate has been Trevor’s life since 1981, however, living with MND means he can’t do as much karate as he would like to now.

“After diagnosis I was invited to sit for my 5^th dan karate qualification which was quite an honour. The grading was a little modified to accommodate my MND but Kyokushinkai Karate gradings are always a challenge.”  Trevor was awarded his 5^th dan in March 2024.

Trevor has been overwhelmed by fundraising support from his friends, family and local community, already raising more than $2,000 with the total continuing to climb as he approaches his plunge on Global ALS/MND Awareness Day.

 👉🏼 Support Trevor’s glacial plunge fundraiser for MND Action Month.

👉🏼 Sign up to take on your own Ice Bucket Challenge or Cuppa Tea for MND.