Charity Gala “A Heart for Children”
Fundraiser gala collects almost the same amount as last year
24,236,721 euros is the result of the charity gala “A heart for children” this year.
© Sascha Baumann
The “A Heart for Children” fundraising gala raised 24,236,721 euros. And thus only slightly less than in the previous year, despite the energy crisis and inflation.
While the prominent fundraisers were able to present the record sum of 27,618,170 euros at the TV fundraising gala “Ein Herz für Kinder” last year, the sum was surprisingly only slightly lower this year, despite the energy crisis and inflation. Moderator Johannes B. Kerner (58) and Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner (43) announced the result live on ZDF at the end of the evening: 24,236,721 euros.
A queen opens the evening
The focus of the evening was on little heroes, big helpers and strong emotions. But it all started with a real queen. Because Kerner, who led through the fundraising gala for the tenth time, opened the show with Silvia from Sweden. “These children need very special help. The children who are victims of a crime live in a terrible trauma. It gets worse when nobody believes the children, listens, nobody helps them. In the shelters, the children find the help they need they need. The children notice that they are being listened to, that they are being taken seriously, that they are being offered therapy,” explained Silvia about her heart’s concern at the beginning of the show.
During the program, former national soccer player Phillip Lahm (39) also reported on the cancer treatment of nine-year-old Bjarne from Heidelberg. Actress Senta Berger (81) talked about her trip to Eritrea for “Ein Herz für Kinder”, where she met children with severe burns. And actor Jan Josef Liefers (58) presented the life-saving research for the insidious disease of childhood dementia. The “Golden Heart” went to ex-boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko (46), representing all the helpers of the war-affected children in Ukraine. The eulogy was held by Ursula von der Leyen (63).
Over 80 celebrities were on the phone
More than 80 celebrities from society, sport, politics, show and social media answered the donation calls from viewers live during the TV gala. Besides Silvia von Schweden, Christian Lindner and Jan Josef Liefers, the eager helpers on the telephones included:
Actor Wolfgang Stumph, actor Mark Keller with his son Aaron, presenter Susanne Daubner, Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, presenter Verona Pooth, entrepreneur Ralf Dümmel, entrepreneur Frank Thelen, presenter Nazan Eckes, model Kim Hnizdo, soccer player and “Let’s Dance” winner Rurik Gislason , presenter Laura Wontorra, entertainer Guido Cantz, social media star and “DSDS” juror Katja Krasavice, track cycling Olympic champion Kristina Vogel, FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, presenter Ricardo Simonetti, model and presenter Sylvie Meis, presenter Cathy Hummels and SPD Federal Chairman Lars Klingbeil.
Musical highlights for a good cause
The evening was accompanied by numerous musical show acts. gave their best:
Chart-toppers Álvaro Soler, Kelvin Jones and Nico Santos, as well as Roland Kaiser, Patrick Kelly and Rea Garvey. The joint performance by Andrea Berg and her daughter-in-law Vanessa Mai, who sang their song “Unendlich” with the children’s choir, also provided a particularly emotional moment. Giovanni Zarrella and Kerstin Ott were enthusiastic, as was “The Voice Kids” winner Georgia, who surprised with her powerful-voiced performance of John Lennon’s “Imagine”.
“A heart for children”: since 2001 annually on ZDF
“A heart for children” is an aid organization that was founded in 1978 by the “Bild” newspaper and the Axel Springer publishing house. The aim is to support children and families in need in Germany and around the world. Since 2001, a donation gala has been held annually on ZDF, which almost always achieves new record sums. The special feature: every citizen who wants to donate is connected by telephone to a celebrity who accepts their donation personally.