The RTL donation marathon enters the home straight
The RTL telethon is still a few hours away. Presenter and heart of the whole thing Wolfram Kons is certain: "There's still time!" Please donate, is his appeal and that of many stars who are taking part. And those who give money will also get something in return - satisfaction and good karma!
After a sleepless night, after turbulent and emotional hours on air, Wolfram Kons announced a sensational donation total of more than 8.8 million euros in the morning. "Thank you for standing by our side, because only together can we achieve so much for children in need in Germany and around the world. We really need every euro in these very special times," said Wolfram Kons. "Please continue to donate!"
In the first few hours of the longest charity program on German television, Wolfram Kons has already welcomed a number of stars, and this will continue until 6 p.m. today: Isabel Edvardsson, Mirja Boes, Philipp Lahm and presenter Annika Lau. They are all involved as project sponsors and reported on their visits to the needy children on site.
Roland Kaiser not only gave the audience goosebumps with his anthem for the RTL telethon "Bis ans Ende der Welt", he also auctioned off a jacket (including a meeting!) that went under the hammer for 20,000 euros. In addition to NRW Minister President Hendrik Wüst, the "traitors" Claude Oliver Rudolph and Sabrina Setlur, Sila Sahin, Tatjana Clasing, Ulrike Frank, Tina Ruland, RTL presenters Katja Burkard, Birgit von Bentzel, Andreas von Thien, Jan Hofer and ex-sports professionals Thorsten Legat and Fabian Hambüchen, among others, took and still take the donation calls in the call center.
Even the Pochers are involved
Personal treasures from many stars change hands every hour at the charity auction . So far, an exclusive set visit including an extra role in "GZSZ" has gone for 8,200 euros, Julian Nagelsmann's lumberjack shirt, which he wore during his first stint as national coach, for 4,400 euros, and a meet & greet with Günther Jauch for 5,100 euros.
At the "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? - Celebrity Special" with Günther Jauch, cabaret artist Torsten Sträter, soccer expert Reiner Calmund, ex-couple Amira and Oliver Pocher in what was probably their last joint appearance on a TV show, and singer Sasha raised a total of 317,000 euros for the RTL telethon.
New world record for Joey Kelly
Joey Kelly also didn't sleep a wink during the night. The endurance athlete wants to set a new world record together with 17 teams in the "24h-American Football Challenge". All participants must have covered a distance of 4,000 kilometers on a 200-meter football course by the final of the RTL charity marathon before they are guaranteed another world record.
Even more sponsors: Nico Santos and Isabel Edvardsson
Lehe is considered the poorest district in Germany. In Bremerhaven, to which the district belongs, child poverty is the highest in the country. One in three children there is affected by poverty and needs financial and, above all, moral support. "That has to change as quickly as possible," says Nico Santos. The successful singer came to Lehe as a project sponsor of "RTL - Wir helfen Kindern" to get an idea of the situation. Together with RTL and "Die Arche Kinderstiftung", he wants to open the 20th RTL children's home as soon as possible. Suitable rooms have already been found, but donations are urgently needed for the renovation and running costs.
Nico Santos, who was born not far away in Bremen, knows how important the drop-in center is for socially disadvantaged children: "I had a wonderful childhood myself. I was able to grow up in a beautiful family environment with great friends. I was very lucky - but not every child has that. But childhood is the most important thing. Every child needs a foundation that provides security and in which every child can be themselves." Many children already know in fourth grade that they will be welfare recipients like their parents and grandparents when they grow up. Breaking this cycle is an important goal of those responsible for the RTL children's homes.
"I'm looking forward to attending the opening of the RTL Children's Home Arche in Lehe in a few months' time - but we need your help. Please help and donate!
"It breaks my heart"
It's a very difficult journey for Isabel Edvardsson. The "Let's Dance" star has traveled to Malawi as a project sponsor for "RTL - Wir helfen Kindern". The African country is one of the poorest in the world. Around 18 percent of the population is undernourished and almost 40 percent of young children suffer from stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition. This is compounded by a lack of hygiene and medical care. The consequences for many children are dramatic - among other things, they are at risk of going completely blind.
"Hearing this breaks my heart. If no one helps the children, some of them will go completely blind," says Isabel Edvardsson, herself a mother of two, with tears in her eyes. "Medical care for children with eye diseases urgently needs to be improved. That's what I'm fighting for now! We must save the children in Malawi from a life in darkness. Please donate!"
The lines are still open today until 6.30pm
- Hotline: Tel. 0180 2 2080 (6 ct. / call from all German networks. International rates may vary)
- 10 Euro Charity-SMS: Send the password KINDER to 44844 (10 Euro /SMS + costs for SMS delivery if applicable)
- Account details: Recipient: RTL Foundation Account: DE55 370 605 905 605 605 605, Sparda-Bank West, BIC: GENODED1SPK
- Online donations: www.rtlspendenmarathon.de
In light of the overwhelming donations, Wolfram Kons emphasizes the importance of continuing support for international children's protection initiatives, stating, "Every euro counts in these special times, let's not forget the children in need around the world." Additionally, Nico Santos, a project sponsor for RTL's "We Help Children" campaign, highlights the necessity of donations for the renovation and running costs of a future RTL children's home in Lehe, emphasizing, "Our goal is to break the cycle of poverty and provide a secure foundation for children here."
Source: www.ntv.de
