More money is being raised in Barrie for ALS Canada through the viral “Ice Bucket Challenge” fundraising campaign.

Early this morning, CTV Barrie senior anchor Tony Grace, Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman, Barrie MP Patrick Brown, and Barrie Fire Chief John Lynn became some of the latest victims of the wildly popular craze in a ceremony at the Barrie Fire Department Headquarters on Dunlop Street.

Grace, Lehman, Brown, and Lynn joined two other willing victims, fire Captain Kevin White and Barrie Professional Firefighters Association President Cory Mainprize, to receive their soakings as six firefighters poured large buckets filled with ice and cold water onto the group.

The Association donated $400 to ALS Canada, while Chief Lynn, Lehman, Brown, and Grace each made personal donations.

As is customary for the stunt, each had been challenged by various community members and issued their own challenges as well.

MP Brown sent out the call to a few people.  

“I’d like to challenge Sports Minister Bal Gosal, my colleague Brant MP Phil McColeman, and Maple Leaf Great Mark Osborne”, said Brown.

Mayor Lehman challenged the Base Borden Commander to get involved.   

 “I’d like to see what Colonel Doiron, and Base Borden, can do for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge,” said Lehman.

And, Grace put out the call to two fellow broadcasters, challenging CHAY FM morning show hosts Jamie Hall and Tara Dawn.  Both accepted and promised to take the challenge.

ALS Canada says as of Thursday afternoon, nearly $1.4 million has been raised with the campaign. A spokesperson told CTV News today that response has been so overwhelming; they’ve now decided to raise their Canadian fundraising goal for the Ice Bucket Challenge to $3 million. Originally, it had been $1 million.

ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is also referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”.  It’s a progressive disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.  The disease causes an inability to control muscles as it progresses, eventually leading to paralysis and death. Researchers have been struggling to understand and come up with treatments for the disease for decades.

There is no cure or treatment to halt or reverse it, but the society says some drugs are starting to show progress in slowing the progression of it.

On its website, the ALS Society says that “although the cause of ALS is not completely understood, the recent years have brought a wealth of new scientific understanding regarding the physiology of this disease.”

To learn more about ALS and the Ice Bucket Challenge click here