Clare’s husband Chris and son Joshua did the honors, pouring the ice water over the local MP in front of media and a gathering crowd.

Ms Vickery said she was thrilled Mr Joyce had taken up her challenge and raised the profile of the terminal disease in the community.

“Thank you, Barnaby Joyce for taking up the challenge,” she said.

“It great that he has raised awareness and been a really good sport for a great cause.

“I would encourage everyone to get behind the fundraising.”

The Deputy Prime Minister wasn’t the only one taking the challenge though, as Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall accepted Clare’s nomination from Parliament House.

Mr Marshall ran an auction within the parliament for the privilege of tipping the icy bucket over him.

Tweed MP Geoff Provest paid $500 for the honor and will donate the entire amount to MND NSW.

The pair live-streamed their effort on Facebook.

In an unlikely twist, Mr Marshall nominated former Armidale Express editor Lydia Roberts to take the challenge. 

Ms Roberts says “if someone donated $500 to tip a bucket over Adam’s head, I want a thousand."

“I don’t come cheap you know," she said.

Mr Marshall thanked Clare for nominating him and said he was very pleased to be involved again this year.

“I hope the funding does make a difference and people continue to support the cause. 

Money donated to MND NSW goes directly to motor neurone disease research and to supporting MND sufferers and their families.

The disease is progressive, terminal and has no effective treatment or cure.

Anyone can get it, and it kills 50 per cent of sufferers within two years and 90 per cent within three.

This means that most MND sufferers who were alive when the Ice Bucket Challenge went viral on social media in 2014 are likely dead.

To donate, visit Barnaby Joyce’s Ice Bucket Challenge live donation page at https://mndspirit.everydayhero.com/au/barnaby-joyce-ice-bucket-challenge with all proceeds going to MND NSW.

Or to make a donation directly to the Vickery family visit www.mycause.com.au/page/130947/courage-for-clare