Cheshire West and Chester Council leader Mike Jones has so far declined to have a bucket of ice water tipped over his head but would be prepared to do something else for a good cause.
Cllr Jones was teased on Dee 106.3 why he hadn’t taken up a nomination for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge by Rob Jeffries who can be seen on YouTube getting soaked in freezing cold water.
Presenter Gavin Matthews then played the clip of Mr Jeffries, quiz master of the The Red Lion Inn, Handbridge, being doused as part of the craze that is sweeping the planet.
The topless Mr Jeffries, flanked by two pals, said: “I nominate after this, Michael Yeomans, because you owe me £200 from your Liverpool bet about two years ago. I nominate Mike Jones, the leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council because everyone likes seeing a politician getting absolutely soaking wet and making a fool of themselves and I nominate Andrews Peers of the Red Lion because he needs to do it. Make sure everyone, that we do donate. I have donated.”
Asked by the presenter why he had not taken up the challenge, Cllr Jones responded: “My priority is getting my house done because I have got my daughter getting married in two weeks’ time and I’m under a lot of pressure to get all the work done.”
He added: “If I was going to do something like that then I would like to see a lot of sponsorship for a very good, worthwhile local charity and then I will do something like that.”
Mr Matthews jokingly interjected: “If I speak to Mrs Jones, she will quite happily tip a bucket of water over your head and I’m sure we could get one of your daughters to video it!”
Cllr Jones, who was “sure” his wife wouldn’t mind giving him a soaking said he had heard about the challenge through Twitter.
The presenter told Cllr Jones he needed to donate to the ALS motor neurone disease charity and that he would be “checking up” on him next time they meet.
A few years back it was rumoured Cllr Jones was prepared to shave off his moustache for charity but this was officially denied.
