Baden-Württemberg: “Ice Barrel Challenge” for a good cause: Timo Hildebrand collects donations in Stuttgart

2023-12-30 18:28:16

As of: December 30, 2023 4:38 p.m

Brave people were able to collect donations with every minute of ice bathing in the Stuttgart children’s and youth hospice. Ex-VfB goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand also shook for a good cause.

The “ice barrel challenge” took place for the second time at the children’s and youth hospice in Stuttgart. On Saturday, daring people could sit in an ice barrel and fill the donation pot with every minute they stayed in the ice water. In doing so, they collected money to support families with a seriously ill child. Also regional celebrities like Footballer Timo Hildebrand faced the cold.

Musical actor and ambassador for the children’s and youth hospice Maximilian Mann (left) and ex-VfB goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand (second from right) sat together in water that was around six degrees cold. For every minute there was a fixed amount of money, which was donated to the children’s and youth hospice.

Ice bathing with footballer Timo Hildebrand

The former VfB Stuttgart goalkeeper endured a full 21 minutes in the ice water. Musical actor and ambassador for the children’s and youth hospice, Maximilian Mann, also went into the cold water and held on bravely. In total, around 400 guests attended the fundraiser. Everyone who wasn’t in the water cheered.

I like ice bathing – at home too. And if I can do something for a good cause, especially for the children’s hospice, then I would be happy to be there at the end of the year.
Timo Hildebrand, former goalkeeper of VfB Stuttgart

350 guests bathe in the ice water for a good cause

Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., around 350 of the 400 guests dared to enter the icy water. Hospice employees started things off. Volunteers from the professional fire department ensured safety. Wearing neonprene suits, they sat in the ice water and made sure everyone was okay.

The handball women from TSG Eislingen set the record. They only left the pool after 80 minutes in icy water. Everyone was able to warm up again in a good atmosphere, sunshine and hot punch.

Employees of the children’s and youth hospice started with ice bathing.

Tens of thousands of euros collected in Stuttgart

A total of 47,550 euros were raised. Of this, 25,000 euros are from Klaus Stifter Elektromotoren GmbH from Waiblingen (Rems-Murr district). The company also paid one euro per minute in the ice bath. Professional firefighter Severin Frank from Plochingen (Esslingen) launched the Eisbaden fundraising campaign and has already collected private donations for the hospice.

I have been a professional firefighter for 14 years. You learn to develop humility and gratitude when you see things that no one else sees. And then you get involved in projects like this – because it’s important.
Severin Frank, initiator of the fundraising campaign

Frank has been involved in social projects for many years. The children’s and youth hospice depends on donations. The funds go to so-called children and siblings work. This means that the siblings of seriously ill children should also benefit from the donations.

Broadcast on Saturday, December 30th, 2023 at 7:30 p.m., SWR Aktuell

More about fundraising events in the region