RTL Group | Cologne, 11/26/2018

€8,604,481 Raised by 23rd ‘RTL-Spendenmarathon’ Telethon

Donations totaling € 8,604,481 were raised by the 23rd “RTL-Spendenmarathon” telethon, which ended last weekend. Since the first edition of the charity event in 1996, some €170 million have been raised for needy children in Germany and many other countries.

The 23rd “RTL Donation Marathon” ended last weekend with a total of €8,604,481 in donations. Since the first edition of the charity event in 1996, some €170 million have been collected for needy children in Germany and many other countries.

“Two exciting RTL-Spendenmarathon telethon days are now over. I’m thrilled and grateful for what we have achieved together with our viewers, partners, celebrity guests, and colleagues from Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland,” said Anke Schäferkordt, Chairwoman of the “Stiftung RTL – Wir helfen Kindern e. V.” Board, commenting on the results of the 23rd RTL-Spendenmarathon. “The RTL-Spendenmarathon is connecting more and more people, be they the players in the ‘Joey Kelly Challenge’ here on our channel, the users and fans of the web show, or the increasing number of SMS donors. This is proof that viewers trust our aid initiative for children. Our charity concept is up-to-date and convincing. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the fact that we can now effectively help thousands of children in Germany and around the world with more than eight million euros, and can promise you that every cent goes where it is needed!”

RTL Shoulders the Costs

All donations from the “RTL-Spendenmarathon” are earmarked for and distributed to selected children’s aid projects by the “Stiftung RTL - Wir helfen Kindern e. V.” foundation. All costs incurred in connection with the longest telethon on German TV and the foundation’s work are borne by RTL. So all the donations are distributed without deductions to the selected children’s aid projects.

“We did it, together with our viewers, celebrity sponsors and guests, and our partners: We’ve surpassed the 170-million-euro mark in total donations since RTL’s charitable efforts were launched in 1996. That was the goal my team and I had set ourselves. I am very tired, but the feeling of gratitude to everyone who has contributed to this success is even greater. A great big thank you,” said Wolfram Kons after more than 30 hours on the air, when the final donation amount was announced live on “RTL Nachtjournal.”

Celebrities Gave Their All

Joey Kelly and the 20 company teams, who together broke the world record for the “longest team relay distance in the extreme obstacle course (24 hours, mixed),” are likewise happy. Instead of the required 2,000 kilometers on the “24h Urban Run” obstacle course, they covered a total of 3435.8 kilometers in 24 hours. A total of 516,000 Euros were raised through the “24h Urban Run.”

Stars including Sven Hannawald, Florian Hambüchen, the Lochis, Sarah Lombardi, and project sponsor Jasmin Wagner also gave their all for the RTL Donation Marathon.  The “Ninja Warrior Germany - Celebrity Special” raised €238,000.

All information about the “Stiftung RTL – Wir helfen Kindern e. V.” foundation’s projects and work can be found at: www.rtlwirhelfenkindern.de  .