Laureus in Lausitzring: Berlin youngsters get the full DTM-Race experience
Young people from the Laureus-supported projects KICK im Boxring and KICK on Ice, enjoyed a day at the renowned race track of Lausitzring, Germany ahead of the DTM-Race on Sunday.
Mercedes-Benz invited the youngsters, ranging from 6 to 18, to visit the DTM-Race track as a reward for their great involvement in the two projects. The highlight of the visit came when Mercedes-Benz DTM-driver Robert Wickens, personally welcomed the 30 youngsters in his race car, the impressive FREE MAN's WORLD Mercedes AMG C-Coupé, which promotes the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
The Canadian driver said “Meeting the children and juveniles at the Lausitzring was just great. Offering them the chance of attending a DTM race was a wonderful opportunity to make them happy. For me as a sportsman, supporting socially deprived children and juveniles and provide them with hope for a better life by dint of the sport is a matter of personal importance."
Robert led a question and answer session with the young people while they enthusiastically checked out the inside of the race car. After, the youngsters had front row seats to watch the big race, capping off a truly unforgettable day.
KICK im Boxring was established in 2008, following the rise in popularity of the use of boxing to tackle social issues with at risk youth. The project offers free boxing sessions which are combined with educational lessons. The main social issues facing the young people are delinquency, unemployment, problems in school, domestic violence and lack of self-esteem.
KICK On Ice is an initiative set up by Laureus and the Berliner Eisbären (Ice Bears) ice hockey club, in an attempt to combat a recent rise in violent behaviour and juvenile delinquency in Berlin. The aim is to ensure that participants, supervised by qualified trainers, enjoy an attractive leisure activity at a time they would otherwise spend out on the streets.
