A great day and night of Sport for Good in Berlin
The 2015 edition of the most important media awards for community involvement took place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Potsdamer Platz in Berlin. The popular Sport for Good Night serves as a platform to emphasise the importance of sport in promoting personal involvement and helping to overcome problems for young people caused by challenging social issues.
Media from all over Germany came to support the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. Several were honoured for their commitment with special awards.
The evening also saw evidence of Mercedes-Benz’s dedication to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, addressing an issue that has affected Europe for the past few months.
Dr. Jens Thiemer, VP of Marketing at Mercedes-Benz and the Global Trustee of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation said: "Laureus is involved where help is needed quickly and efficiently. Therefore, it is very important for us to assist in coping with the challenge posed by the growing number of refugees. Through our projects, we want to engage with children and young people from refugee families to give what many have been lacking: stability, direction and at least some ‘joie de vivre’ – which are the basics for successful integration.”
These projects specifically targeting refugees will be financed by private donations from the top management of Daimler AG, Laureus’ Founding Patron. The projects will initially be opened in three cities in Germany and work closely with sports clubs, schools, refugee centres and local initiatives.
At the event a very special 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 Laureus Sport for Good Edition was handed over to Ronald Bussink, who had purchased the car, with the proceeds contributing to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. The initial handover of the car took place in Shanghai during the Laureus World Sports Awards in April by Laureus Academy Member and former Formula One star Mika Hakkinen.
A few hours before Sport for Good Night, a very special Laureus-supported project visit took place in Berlin at KICK imBoxring, where Laureus Ambassadors Manuel Fumic and Axel Schultz attended and saw the induction of famous ‘big wave’ surfer Sebastian Steudtner as the latest Laureus Ambassador.
“I am really proud to be an Ambassador and be part of the Family now. I am looking forward to visiting some very nice projects with the kids and having fun on the way doing so, “said Steudtner during the visit.
Sebastian and the other Ambassadors met and interacted with the kids from the project which offers an alternative to violence, drugs and crime. In training, the kids learn important values such as discipline, respect and determination. In addition to boxing, the project also offers to help with homework and is in close contact with teachers.
