A fiery challenge to help a heart
You’ve heard of the #IceBucketChallenge, the Indian #RiceBucketChallenge, the Nepali #FillTheBucket challenge, but would you dare the hottest perhaps fieriest challenge yet, the local ‘Kochchimiris Challenge’ “It’s quite a sadistic take on fundraising,” grins Ransley Burrows of Phoenix Ogilvy, the advertising agency behind the campaign.
Getting into the heat of the ‘Kochchimiris Challenge’ Pic by Amila Gamage
Whilst the sensation experienced post an ice bucket ducking is meant to signify the numbing sensation experienced by ALS patients, the ‘Kochichimiris Challenge’ finds its inspiration in ‘burning’ your heart for a heart, as funds raised will go towards the Heart to Heart project of the Oxonian Heart Foundation (OHF). The foundation was set up by Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Ravi Perumalpillai, who has been Consultant Cardiothoracic surgeon and senior lecturer at the University of Oxford for the last 25 years.
Identifying the dire need for a modern cardiac service providing facility for the North, Central and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka, Dr. Perumalpillai established the foundation to raise funds to perform open heart surgery in the Northern Central Hospital in Jaffna. Based on current reports, it is estimated that around 700 patients will require heart surgery every year in the Northern Province alone. Such patients would have to travel to hospitals in Colombo or Kandy for treatment and often it is too late, which is why the Oxonian Heart Foundation is committed to raising funds to enable cardiac services and surgery in the North. It is estimated that the project will require US$ 2 million for completion.
The daring nominees who took up the challenge
“It’s a great cause,” says Ransley. “On our end we’ve completely committed ourselves to helping the foundation raise funds to ensure these people, who are just like you and me have access to the same vital services and comforts we do.”
The ‘Kochchimiris Challenge’ was inspired by its extremely popular counterpart, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, in which participants raise funds for a motor neurone disease known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis by dumping ice water on themselves following a nomination. If you complete the ice bucket challenge, you donate US$ 10 and if you don’t USD 100 must be donated. It was Nigel Nugawela from Ogilvy who suggested that the team do something similar for Heart to Heart. The team thought very hard about what they could do in a very local way and in the end the answer was simple- chillies!
The ‘Kochchimiris Challenge’ works in the same way, once you’re nominated, nominees must tape themselves eating a kochchi miris (one of the more fiery brands of the not-so-humble chilli), post it on social media and nominate people to complete the challenge. Contrary to the Ice Bucket Challenge, however, nominees are encouraged to donate Rs. 500 to the foundation either way (whether the challenge is completed or not).
Many of the Ogilvy team have already taken the challenge and agree. “It’s somehow easier for a woman to do it,” laughs Shani Tennekoon, who took the challenge when it was initiated last week. The boys agreed that whilst they were running around clutching their stomachs and swallowing copious amounts of water, the ladies took to it better. They do have some pointers for those taking the challenge though - have some milk or warm water with sugar afterwards. Don’t stop to savour your bite – the chilli takes a few seconds to kick in so you may as well get into before the heat takes hold.
It’s a fun, local challenge, guaranteed to get some laughs (and some heartburn, but that wears off) in a bid to raise funds and awareness for Heart to Heart.
Search for #kochimirischallenge on Facebook and Twitter to find the brave souls who took on the challenge to help a heart.
If you’d like to donate (via card, cheque or bank transfer) to the Oxonian Heart Foundation, visit www.helpaheart.com