BRAD EBERT has thrown down the challenge to Australia's Head of State to take the 'ice bucket challenge' that aims to raise awareness for motor neurone disease and related diseases.

He also challenged the Premier of South Australia Jay Weatherill and Australian Red Bull Racing-Renault formula one driver Daniel Ricciardo to take the challenge.

Ebert, whose grandmother Lorraine suffers from motor neurone disease, accepted the challenge issued by the Port Adelaide Football Club chairman David Koch on Seven's Sunrise on Tuesday morning.

He and Power skipper Travis Boak led the entire Port Adelaide playing group in taking the challenge on Alberton Oval on Tuesday afternoon.

Those challenged to face the ice bucket must do so within 24 hours, or make a donation to motor neurone research.

The Power's acceptance of the challenge follows the entire AFL Executive being dunked with ice water at the League's Docklands base on Monday, following news former Essendon champion Neale Daniher was battling the disease.

Motor neurone disease is the name given to a group of diseases which cause the nerve cells (neurones) in the brain, which control the muscles of the body, to degenerate and die.

There is no cure nor treatment for the disease, which is also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in some parts of the world, including America where the challenge originated.

"I think the 'ice bucket challenge' is massively important to help raise awareness for motor neurone disease," Ebert told portadelaidefc.com.au after taking the challenge.

"It's a disease that cripples your body and causes the brain's neurones to slowly die.

"It's horrible for the person who suffers from the disease, but also their family and loved ones.

"It's sad to see happen to anyone, but we all feel that if the time and money is put into it, a cure can be found.

"If not for the ice bucket challenge, many people wouldn't have heard about the disease and what it does to the body.

"My grandmother suffers from it, so as someone who's close to the disease in my family it definitely means a lot to know people are supporting awareness-raising measures like this."

As for the individuals the Power has challenged, Ebert is hopeful all three will get on board.

"South Australia's premier is a big Power man and Dan Ricciardo is one of our Renault 'teammates' and a guy who flys the nation's flag in F1, so we hope they'll join us in taking the challenge," Ebert said.

"As for the Queen - well she's our head of state and we don't put any limits on anything we do here at the club, so we thought getting our Head of State on board was something worth trying - hopefully she joins in too!"

portadelaidefc.com.au will post any of its accepted challenges by Premier Jay Weatherill, Daniel Ricciardo or Queen Elizabeth II, if accepted.

You can donate to MND Australia at http://mndaust.asn.au (opens in new window).