RTL Group | Cologne, 07/23/2020

Together against coronavirus - together for children

Countless children in Germany are affected, either directly or indirectly, by coronavirus and can neither go to school nor attend childcare facilities such as the RTL Kinderhäuser (children's homes). Particularly in socially deprived areas, many don't have practical ways of keeping occupied at home. These children need our help now.

This is why the 'RTL - Wir helfen Kindern e.V.' foundation intends to work together with their long-standing cooperation partners Caritas and 'Die Arche' (The Ark) in supplying affected children with exercise books, practical games, learning materials and other items. Distribution will be handled by the 18 RTL children's homes, which are spread throughout the country and run a dynamic network with direct contacts with families in need.

Severely handicapped children and those with terminal illness in the care of the mobile care service also have greater support needs now. To keep the mobile care service up and running without having to transfer children into hospitals, there is now a hugely increased hygiene standard to be met. The cooperation partner 'Nestwärme e.V.' (Warmth and Security) is now developing a countrywide digital advice and support service for the affected families in order to break down the sense of isolation of these families and children.

In the various programs of the Mediengruppe RTL, viewers were asked to donate to selected projects. Numerous of the foundation's cooperation partners were also actively involved. Since the campaign was launched, more than 1.1 million euros have been collected for children affected by Corona. "The enormous willingness of our viewers and partners to donate is impressive and shows the great solidarity especially in such difficult times. My special thanks therefore go to all those who have contributed to the great success of our campaign - and, as always, our promise remains valid: Every cent goes towards the people!", says Bernd Reichart, Chairman of the Board of the RTL Foundation and CEO of Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland. The donations collected have already been used to support numerous children's aid projects in Germany and one in South Africa.