Braintree MP Brooks Newmark took on the ice bucket challenge but chose to donate to three other charities instead of nominating others for the task.

The minister for civil society said so many people had now done the challenge he did not want his nominations to go to waste.

Mr Newmark said: “The important thing is the ice bucket challenge is engaging people in charity and getting them to think about the charitable sector as a whole.

“People are talking about it and giving to charities and highlighting a number of important causes.”

He donated to ALS, the Play and Resource Centre (PARC) in Braintree, Farleigh Hospice and the Get Kids Going! disabled children’s charity.