Ice Bucket Challenge: ‘Batman’ Ben Affleck douses himself in cold water

Superman VS Batman actor Ben Affleck became the latest celebrity to have a bucket of ice-cold water poured over his head as he accepted Tyler Perry's challenge. His wife Jennifer Garner did the honours and after completing the challenge he nominated Jimmy Kimmel, Neil Patrick Harris, Matt Damon, and his wife Jennifer Garner who poured the water over his head.

He said on camera: 'Tyler Perry called me out so I'm going to take the challenge [and] I'm also going to make a donation,' 'I guess I have to pick four other people so my people are going to be folks who I know from firsthand experience look good in a wet T-shirt.'

Others who took the challenge include Cristiano Ronaldo, Sheldon Cooper, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Satya Nadella, Phil Schiller, Dick Costolo, Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Christie, Triple H and Martha Stewart. Interestingly, President Obama seems to have declined the challenge and is looking to donate instead.

So why are they doing it?

Well the challenge involves pouring a bucket a bucket of cold ice water over their heads to raise awareness and fight ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig's disease. The challenge is simple, pour ice-cold water over your head and then challenge someone else to do it. The person challenged has to do so within 24 hours or donate $100 to fight ALS. Even if a person completes the challenge, they're welcome to donate the money.

What is ALS?

ALS is a fatal disease where people lose muscle control, including the ability to speak, eat or even breathe. Life expectancy after being diagnosed is between 2-5 years and current treatment can only extend it by a few months.

How did it start?

The ALS Association credits Pete Frates, a former Boston College baseball player for making the challenge popular. He's been living with the disease since 2012, and it has become a phenomenon since Frates took the challenge at the end of last month.

Has it helped raise awareness?

The ALS Association has already received over $4 million in donations between July 29^thand 12^th August which suggests that people are definitely aware about the condition. Read more about

Photo source: Getty images

You may also like to read:

• Ice Bucket Challenge: Why are Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Triple H and Justin Timberlake pouring cold water over their heads?
• Ice Bucket Challenge: Cristiano Ronaldo and Sheldon Cooper take the plunge

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