Scot does ice bucket challenge in Antarctica

A SCOTTISH scientist has undergone the ultimate ice bucket challenge – in temperatures of minus 20C near the South Pole.

Glasgow scientist Malcolm Airey, left, and his colleague Chris Walton brave sub-zero temperatures for charity. Picture: Deadline

Malcolm Airey, 27, from Glasgow, and chef Chris Walton, 43, from Weymouth, Dorset, doused themselves in freshly dug ice at the British Antarctic Survey, more than 10,000 miles from home.

Despite harsh conditions during the Antarctic winter, the pair donned shorts, sandals and T-shirts to complete the challenge for motor neurone disease research.

Mr Walton begins by confirming the pair are at Rothera Research Centre in Antarctica, before saying to his colleague: “This water doesn’t look cold enough does it?”

Mr Airey then shovels extra Antarctic ice into the buckets, along with the usual ice cubes, before declaring it to be “good enough” and they then drench themselves.

Research field assistant Mr Airey said: “We don’t see anyone else between March and October and one way of staying connected with the outside world is by checking the internet and social media sites.

“That’s how we learned of the latest craze for being soaked in ice cold water”

The Rothera Research Station studies atmospheric chemistry and climate.