Most people find completing the ice bucket challenge difficult enough, but one brave group in Harbin this year opted to take it a step further –– doing it while it was -20 Celsius in northeastern China on Dec 24.

The unusual challenge was sponsored by Harbin Shangri-La Hotel and Songbei Shangri-La Hotel, as part of efforts to raise funds for Yongsheng Primary School and to increase public awareness of issues impacting education in rural areas.

The raised money will be used to improve the facilities and teaching conditions at Yongsheng Elementary School, so that teachers and students can have a much more convenient and efficient school environment.

Initiated in 2014, this year’s challenge has witnessed an increasing number of participants.

A total of 56 people managed to complete the challenge, winning applause from spectators while raising money for the primary school.

In addition to the ice bucket challenge, an on-site  restaurant for customers to eat hot pot in the extreme cold was opened the same day. Customers said the temperature in the restaurant was as low as -20 Celsius.
  Contestants tip freezing-cold water over themselves at the 2019 Ice Bucket Challenge. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
  Brave souls tip ice-cold water on their heads during the 2019 Ice Bucket Challenge. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
  Contestants pose for a group photo at the 2019 Ice Bucket Challenge. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]