Ice bucket challenge in Slovenia: "For a good cause, it isn't difficult at all."

Slovenians are collecting funds for the humanitarian initiative Srce Sloveniji (Heart to Slovenia)

The skier Tina Maze gave her "heart", i.e. her support to the initiative. Foto: Twitter

Abroad the funds are being collected for research of ASL desease, while in Slovenia the funds are being collected for pupils from socially endangered families. Foto: BoBo

Now we have a Slovenian version of dumping a bucket of ice water on someone's head, for charity purpose. Tina Maze, the queen of white slopes, the former skier Jure Košir, and Maribor defender Marko Šuler can be found among the participating.

The skier Tina Maze gave her "heart", i.e. her support to the initiative. Foto: Twitter

Abroad the funds are being collected for research of ASL desease, while in Slovenia the funds are being collected for pupils from socially endangered families. Foto: BoBo

While world famous stars pour buckets of water on their heads, on the model of Americans, and thus participate some dollars for the research of the ALS disease (the acronym stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), the funds of the Slovenians are mostly intended the account of the Srce Sloveniji initiative, where funds for purchase of school requisites are collected. The initiator was Matej Špehar, former radio presenter, now an expert on social networks.

"Once again we are collecting funds for children of parents unable to purchase school requisites. The ASL Foundation does not exist in Slovenia, and it is rather difficult to contribute funds for that purpose, so I took advantage of the moment, and preserved the 'ice bucket' system, only modified its purpose. The Srce Sloveniji initiative thus gained a new momentum, and additional funds," Špehar explained, and added that the funds collected in this manner will be allocated to Anina zvezdica (Anna's little star).

Spilling water for charity
The first to join this charitable initiative were some famous Slovenians. It started with Špehar nominating Matej Markovič, singer Nino Pušlar and Alenka Košir. And Alenka was the reason her husband Jure Košir got the nomination. "I had no expectations, but I believe that if in America the attention was successfully directed to ASL, it makes sense to use the same method for other purposes. It is a good idea, most people like to see something like that, and it is a good way to draw attention to an ongoing project," Košir said for MMC.

The former professional skier has nominated his former colleague from the national team, Rene Mlekuž, and basketball players Goran Dragić and Beno Udrih.

A bucket of water was dumped on the mayor as well
Not only athletes and musicians, but also the mayor of the City Municipality Maribor Andrej Fištravec bravely took up the challenge, after being nominated by the captain of the Maribor football club Marcos Tavares. "I accepted the challenge because of the charitable background of the project. Besides, Mr Tavares is not only the captain of the most successful football collective in Slovenia, but also a person worthy of respect," Fištravec said for MMC.

Klavdija Kopina, Kristjan Kozina, MMC
Translated by G. K.