article_snippet: Cumberbatch played Professor Hawking in 2003 BBC drama 'Hawking' and has been a patron of the MNDA charity for 11 years .
article_snippet: Cumberbatch, who played Prof Hawking in a 2004 BBC drama, went over to the famous scientist and bent down to speak with the famous scientist, as well as posing for photographs.
article_snippet: In 2014 Cumberbatch took part in six ice bucket challenges to help raise money .
article_snippet: Cumberbatch has been a patron of MNDA for 11 years.
article_snippet: Cumberbatch said Cumberbatch first became aware of MND back in 2003 when Cumberbatch played Prof Hawking in the BBC's Hawking, and as part of Cumberbatch research into 'this brilliant man' Cumberbatch worked with the charity which introduced Cumberbatch to two people who had MND at different stages. '
article_snippet: I'm very proud to still be involved - alongside Stephen - with the MND Association today,' Cumberbatch said.
highlights_snippet: Cumberbatch played the professor in 2003