Appeal for clothing and heating for childrens Orphanage in Skoikite near Pamporovo Bulgaria

Info on the Ski-a-Thong - 14 March 2008
Photos, Articles and Video Links

Dated: Sunday 16 March 2008

Update on the Ski-a-Thong fundraising events in Borovets. At one point it was uncertain as to where and how the skiing would take place because of the lack of snow, the high winds and closed lifts on the slopes. On Thursday afternoon everyone became very excited when it snowed but this only lasted about an hour. On Friday morning the debate was still going on but, fortunately, we were able to find a slot in time on a suitable slope for the event to go ahead. The weather was bright and sunny and there was a distinct buzz in the air and when the time came for the skiers to undress to reveal their distinctive outfits a great cheer went up.

The idea for the Ski-a-Thong was launched on 14 January and from that date until 14 March (just two short months) we had contributions from SkiDVD, Bulgariaski, Beach Bulgaria, other forums and personal donations from all around the world. When the sum of the donations was added to the monies raised from a Curryoke Night, a Quiz Night, the Ski-a-Thong itslelf and an Auction Night held in Borovets, the final sum to a staggering £11,421..

Also, since 21 December 2007 when the website was first launched and the first contributions received, the total as at 15 March 2008 from donations from the above-mentioned forums, MyBulgaria and others was a staggering €18,352 but has now grown to nearly €20,000. This amount was at the close of the Auction (the last event) on Friday evening but donations are still filtering in and regular updates will be posted on how the heating appeal fund is growing.

There are no words can adequately describe what Orphanage Stoikite Team and every one concerned are feeling at this moment. The two lists of all contributions for the Ski-a-Thong and List of Donations will shortly be added to the Donations Info page. We also still have several upcoming fund raising events which are listed on our Fundraising page on our website which will help to boost this already amazing figure.

A very big THANK YOU to everyone for your help in bringing a little bit of sunshine into a child's life

Special mentions: it is difficult to name everyone as so many people helped to make the ski-a-thong such a success but we would like to thank :
Pamporovo Pete (Bulgariaski & SunnyBeach) and Phil - Banknote (SkiDVD) who started the ball rolling.
Tiger Tim, whose initial contributions were from his daughters Charlotte and Alex, who gave their savings and were responsible for a school disco which raised £295. The total amount of Tim's worldwide donations was £1,700;
Guto (aka Clive) who was supported by the Herbrandston Young Carers raised £887.49 by having his hair and beard entirely shaved off;
TD (Caro) and Bibbleb0bs (Bob) - £800 for all the wonderful Ski-a-Tong T-Shirts and last - but no means least -
The Brooklands Primary School who raised £800

What's Next - Summer Theme is THE WALK OF LIFE

A sponsored walk from either Sunny Beach or St Vlas to Nessebar and finish with a big party in Nessebar. The distance is approximately 4 miles if we start at Sunny Beach or 8 miles if we start at St Vlas. It will be held sometime between 13th & 25th July and more info on this will be given as and when the event is finalised so watch this space .......

Articles from Newspapers, TV coverage, photos and video links: (= a link)

Pamporovo Pete's post of the Bulgariaski forum reads:
Author : Pamporovo Pete (---.proxy.aol.com)
posts : 9956
Date : 03-15-08 23:14

Well - WE DID IT!!!!!!!!

An amazing non-stop week came to a conclusion last night when a cheque for £11,421:00 was presented to Amanda, Carole, and Andie from all of you who helped turn the Ski A Thong week into an absolute blast!!!! So many people made it a really special week, and certainly a week I will never forget.

The Ski A Thong itself was perfect. We woke to find that the mountain was virtually closed due to winds and fog - but by 3pm it was 10 degrees and bright sunshine. In all I think it was 12 in total who made the decent which was covered by natonal TV (BTV) and was screen twice last night throughout the whole of Bulgaria. Loads of other media were there to cover it so who knows where the final footage will turn up.

The Curryoke night was just brilliant with just about everybody singing at least 1 song and raised something like 2,000 levs. Quiz night was also a great success with Banknotes team beating RobertTK's team in a sudden death play-off. The auction last night also raised a huge amount of money and a big THANK-YOU to all who donated lots and bid on items. Pete

Article from Wiltshire and Swindon Gazette - 5 March 2008
This Is Wiltshire: News: Wiltshire - Latest NewsFrom The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald ... It's all downhill. 10:26am today. THE plight of freezing Bulgarian children has prompted Devizes man Pete Roberts to strip off and ski in sub zero temperatures........

Article from News.bg TV coverage on 14 March 2008

"""" UK citizens from a British ski club had ski naked on a ski run in Borovets mountain resort in Bulgaria. The Britons did this with charity purpose. """"

This is how the event was reported on the Bulgarian TV channel. Although incorrect we consider all publicity - whether good or bad - to be PUBLICITY none the same.

SkiDVD photo gallery - photos of the Ski-a-Thong on 14 March 2008 (http://www.skidvd.co.uk/gallery/v/Ski+A+Thong/)

Bulphoto link to ski-a-thong photos

Ski-a-thong interview and coverage video - BTV

Photos: (new photos and video links will be added as they are received)