Fundraising for a Children's Hospice

A fire engine in pink? What a choice! This striking colour was selected by the Volunteer Fire Department Erkrath in 2015 especially to attract attention, provide food for thought and inspire others to volunteer. The beautification of the unique HLF 20 continued in 2016 for a very special purpose: Anyone donating to the Regenbogenland Children's Hospice in Dusseldorf could inscribe their name on the "Pink Lady".

To ensure that as many Rhinelanders could donate to this worthy cause as possible, the Volunteer Fire Department Erkrath drove for many weeks to markets, squares and office buildings in its home town. But not only this! The firefighters also parked their pink HLF in front of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Municipal Issues in North Rhine-Westphalia, at the NRW Parliament, and at a home game between Fortuna Dusseldorf and FC Pauli.

The large fundraising tour kicked off on 5 March 2016 at the Erkrath Fire and Rescue Station with a Family Day for all families whose children were being cared for in the Regenbogenland Children's Hospice. With games, fun, interesting information and passion for their work as firefighters, the Volunteer Fire Department members helped the seriously ill children, their siblings and parents escape their everyday life for a few hours.

Because 75% of the funding for the Regenbogenland Children's Hospice comes from donations, and an adjoining building is being planned for youths as well, the firefighters wanted to collect as much money as possible. In the end, they were delighted to present the Kinder- und Jugendhospiz Düsseldorf e.V. association with the impressive sum of EUR 15,134 during the official ceremony on 6 May 2016. Altogether, approximately 1,500 donors signed their names on the pink fire engine.