Our journey from vision to association

During the summer months, Be Strong For Kids offers a weekly Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) course on the Ruhr River in Essen-Werden in partnership with Light Board Corp, Sunova Surfboards, and KG Wanderfalke.

Participants learn the fundamentals of stand-up paddleboarding and stand-up paddle polo while improving their balance, coordination, and overall fitness in a fun and supportive group environment. The course is also particularly well suited for children and teenagers who are returning to physical activity following illness or medical treatment.

As with all BSFK programs, enjoyment is at the heart of the experience. Activities include team challenges, friendly races, rescue exercises, and even human pyramids on the boards, creating plenty of opportunities for fun, teamwork, and unforgettable experiences on the water.

We would like to thank KG Wanderfalke e.V. for generously providing access to their riverside facilities free of charge and making this program possible.

Photos: Dominik-Antoni.de

Organization and project management
Child protection

florence.grgic@bestrongforkids.de

Organization and project management
Swimming coach (C license)

a.kueck@bestrongforkids.de

System Management
Child protection officer

gianina.chatzopoulos@bestrongforkids.de

Child protection officer

childprotection@bestrongforkids.de

basketball
BSFK Goes School

Social Media
Orga BSFK Goes School

Social Media
Orga BSFK Goes School

sports teacher
Swimming organization

Social Media
Swimming assistant

Events

Events

Events
Orga BSFK Goes School

tax advisor

photographer

Homepage
Swimming assistant

journalist

Editorial office
Shaft 11

Swimming coach (C license)

Swimming assistant

Sports Instructor B
Rehabilitation + Prevention
(C-License Competitive Sports + Recreational Swimming)

Coach (C-License)

Coach (Australia)
Swimming assistant

Swimming assistant

Swimming coach (C license)
competitive swimming

Swimming assistant

Coach (C-License)
(B-License Sport in Rehabilitation)

Swimming coach

Graphic design

Image / Camera

In partnership with Blue Tomato, Be Strong For Kids encourages children and young people with and without disabilities to discover the joy of regular physical activity through skateboarding. Skateboarding is an ideal sport for this purpose. It is accessible, highly motivating, and offers a variety of ways to get involved, whether on a skateboard, cruiser, or longboard. In our course, participants are encouraged to explore the sport at their own pace, experience early success, and develop new skills through creativity, movement, and practice. Along the way, they build confidence, independence, and self-esteem.

A special feature of the program is our mobile skatepark, which allows us to bring the experience directly to children and young people in different settings. Designed with inclusion in mind, the skatepark can also be used by participants who use wheelchairs, enabling them to safely experience movement, challenge, and adventure. By bringing together children and young people with different backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, the program creates opportunities for connection, teamwork, and mutual learning. Together, participants overcome challenges, support one another, and grow as a community. The course is led by experienced skateboarders and sports professionals who provide a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment for every participant.

Photos: Daniel Rumstadt Visuals, Geno Bank Essen

Parkour is all about overcoming obstacles through movement, creativity, and determination. In this course, children and teenagers learn the fundamentals of parkour and discover how to navigate their environment using nothing but their own bodies. Through jumping, balancing, climbing, vaulting, swinging, and rolling, participants develop strength, coordination, agility, and control while exploring new ways to move.

But parkour is about more than physical skills. It encourages problem-solving, focus, perseverance, and self-confidence. Participants learn to approach challenges step by step, trust their abilities, and find their own path to success. There is no single “right” way to overcome an obstacle—creativity and individual progress are celebrated. In a safe and supportive environment, children and teenagers are encouraged to experiment, create their own routes and movement challenges, and support one another along the way. Every obstacle overcome becomes a success story, helping participants build confidence both in sport and in everyday life.

Breakdance and hip hop, which originated in the Bronx, New York, combine dynamic movement, rhythm, and creativity. These dance styles help children and young people improve coordination, body awareness, and confidence – while having a lot of fun. Together, participants learn choreographies or even develop short performances as a group, which they then present to others. This encourages teamwork, shared responsibility, and working toward a common goal. Performing in front of an audience can also help reduce stage fright and build self-esteem, giving children and young people the chance to grow in confidence through positive performance experiences. The program is offered either as a one-off crash course or as a five-week workshop.

A child’s cancer diagnosis can turn an entire family’s life upside down. Be Strong For Kids offers those affected the opportunity to find moments of calm amidst the physically and emotionally demanding daily reality of hospital life, and to quiet the constant stream of thoughts. Our yoga classes at the West German Proton Therapy Center (WPE) at Essen University Hospital are led by certified instructors who use targeted physical, breathing, and relaxation exercises, as well as meditation, to help ease the side effects of treatment. The goal is to help participants regain strength, improve mobility, or simply take a break and switch off for a while. That is exactly what we aim to support.

Photos: Michael Franke Photography

Under the guidance of our professional coaches Carlos Howard, German Vice Champion, and Len-Kauri Köhl, West German Champion, participants have the opportunity to discover and develop the art of beatboxing. The program is offered either as a one-off crash course or as a five-week workshop. Both formats provide an engaging introduction to rhythm and sound, while also fostering creativity, musical expression, and self-confidence. By making music together and learning from experienced coaches, children and young people can explore and further develop their individual talents.

We are convinced that BSFK’s beatboxing program goes beyond teaching musical skills. It creates a safe and supportive space where participants can express themselves freely, grow in confidence, and experience the joy of creating something together. We look forward to exploring the world of beatboxing with the children and young people and accompanying them on their creative journey.

Be Strong For Kids offers several judo classes each week for German and Ukrainian children and teenagers in Essen. The program provides a safe and welcoming environment where young people can connect, build friendships, and experience a sense of belonging beyond the challenges of everyday life. Judo is much more than a martial art. Through age-appropriate training that combines basic techniques with games, movement exercises, and elements of gymnastics and acrobatics, participants develop coordination, balance, flexibility, and overall physical fitness. At the same time, they learn important values such as respect, discipline, fairness, and consideration for others. The rules and traditions of judo encourage positive interactions and help create a supportive and inclusive group atmosphere.

Fun and positive experiences are at the heart of every session. By training together, children and young people build confidence, develop new skills, and form friendships that cross cultural and linguistic boundaries. The program promotes teamwork and encourages participants to work together toward shared goals, whether preparing for belt examinations, competitions, or personal milestones. We place great importance on helping every child experience success and grow in self-confidence. In addition, many of our older participants are already taking the next step by training as coaches, helping to pass on their skills and strengthen the program for the future.

Photos: Daniel Rumstadt Visuals

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Isabelle Feldwehr-Härle

Isabelle is a former competitive athlete, a world champion, and participated in the 2016 Olympic Games. She wants to raise money for BSFK through various activities.

Place of residence

Eat

fundraising campaign

Participant in Swim For Kids 2020 – 7.5 km swim through Lake Baldeney in Essen

How did you become aware of BSFK?

Through Damian Wierling. He brought BSFK to my attention.

motivation

“I think it’s a great idea to raise money for children in need through various activities. Each of us can find ourselves in difficult situations in our lives. Sport and having great people by our side can make these easier to overcome.”

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Carsten Schröer

Place of residence

Bochum

fundraising campaign

The 11 City Nonstop – that’s like the Tour de France of stand-up paddleboarding – but since I’m self-employed and don’t have time for the 5 days/stages, I’m taking advantage of the opportunity, available for the past few years, to paddle the nearly 205 km distance in one go. Men are allowed 34 hours and women 36. The record for the last 3 years is just under 25 hours.

How did you become aware of BSFK?

About Jörn personally. I accompanied him for a short part of his first fundraising (paddling) tour and even managed to snag a €10 donation from other boaters through a special performance 🙂

I also briefly offered him moral support and a small contribution during the Big SUP event at Lake Baldeney.

motivation

“I think it’s important to do something for others and not always be selfish. I used to be very active in the DLRG (German Life Saving Association).”

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Danny Haack

Place of residence

Eat

fundraising campaign

After 14 years of triathlon experience across all distances and a personal best of 10:09:04 in the Ironman distance, Danny wants to take things a bit easier in the future. He’s looking for new challenges and wants to support BSFK as an athlete. This year, he’ll be competing for us in the Baldeneysee Marathon and a 24-hour swim in Grefrath.

There he wants to surpass the current course record of 48km.

Follow the competitions at:
https://instagram.com/danny_haack_sportive

Competition kilometers 2020

Approximately 93 km

How did you become aware of BSFK?

I know the initiator, Jörn, from my first triathlon season. We competed together back then, and I’ve always followed his project online and think it’s fantastic!

motivation

“I would be thrilled to find many people who would support me in achieving my new goals by donating to BSFK. Using sport in a meaningful way – helping children who are not as fortunate as me – motivates me!”

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Jörg Gubesch

Place of residence

Eat

fundraising campaign

In the future, I will dedicate every sporting activity to “Be Strong for Kids” and donate one euro for every completed sports session. This may vary, but hopefully averages out to about one hour per day.

How did you become aware of BSFK?

I first learned about this through Facebook and was immediately enthusiastic about the initiatives and the mission to do something for children in difficult situations so they can have more fun in life. I know Jörn from my time in the triathlon club, and this personal connection makes it even more tangible to want to help.

motivation

“Having been struggling with health issues for over two years, the motto ‘Be Strong for Kids’ is very fitting and motivates me to overcome my own weaknesses and problems. I can’t do sports the way I’d like, but I can be active (mainly running and some cycling to balance it out). Therefore, out of gratitude, I want someone else to benefit from it too, and that’s how I came up with the idea of ​​making a donation. My goal now is to spend as much time as possible doing sports. This helps me, but above all, it helps the children.”

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Christian Wex

Place of residence

Mülheim an der Ruhr

fundraising campaign

Christian is a former swimmer who, after several changes of sport, will specialize in triathlon and duathlon this season. Christian Wex aims to raise funds for every kilometer he completes in competition to help sick children and teenagers promote physical activity.

Competition kilometers

Approximately 210km

How did you become aware of BSFK?

I am currently a student at Broich Gymnasium, the school where Jörn Schulz also teaches. I became aware of BSFK through several activities that were carried out at the school and through Jörn Schulz’s role as coach of the school swimming team.

motivation

“I am currently also involved with UNICEF. However, because I also want to support regional projects for disadvantaged children, I have joined BSFK.”

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Frank Kerstan

Place of residence

Düsseldorf

fundraising campaign

Frank has been an amateur triathlete for several years and is supporting the club for the first time at the Swim for Kids Challenge 2020.

How did you become aware of BSFK?

I saw a post on Instagram, and then I called Jörn to find out more about the BSFK club.

motivation

“I find the initiative and commitment of Jörn and the athletes & friends circle inspiring. It’s great to combine sport and supporting children in need. I’m very happy to be part of the Swim Challenge.”

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Rockwell Lloyd – Miguel and Celina Lopez, Moritz Leube

Place of residence

Mülheim an der Ruhr

fundraising campaign

“Rockwell Lloyd” is a five-year-old Thoroughbred gelding who, together with his jockey Miguel Lopez, will compete for us in numerous horse races throughout Germany. The team, consisting of Miguel, his sister Celina Lopez, and Moritz Leube, aims to raise funds for every kilometer run in the races to support our projects promoting physical activity for sick children and young people.

Racing kilometers 2020

approx. 29km

How did you become aware of BSFK?

The contact came about through my friend Moritz Leube, a student of Jörn Schulz, who helps out every morning at Rockwell Lloyd and also accompanies him to the races. He was also the one who asked us if we wanted to join BSFK.

motivation

“When Moritz Leube suggested this idea to me, I didn’t have to think about it for a second, as I really enjoy doing things for a good cause.”

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Stavro Petri

Place of residence

Wuppertal

fundraising campaign

Wuppertal charity run

How did you become aware of BSFK?

Christian Krause brought his work at BSFK to my attention.

motivation

“For over 10 years, I have been financially supporting the St. Michael Children’s Home in Wuppertal with an annual four-figure sum. I deliberately chose a local recipient because I am always very well informed about the home’s activities and see how my money is being used effectively.”

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Melanie Petri

Place of residence

Wuppertal

fundraising campaign

Participants in Swim For Kids 2020 – 7.5 km swim through Lake Baldeney in Essen

Organizer of a charity running event in September 2020

How did you become aware of BSFK?

Christian Krause drew my attention to his work at the Be Strong For Kids association.

motivation

“Be Strong For Kids is a great way to bring joy to children who don’t have it so easy in life.”

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Sven Strache

Place of residence

Duisburg

fundraising campaign

Run For Kids 2021

How did you become aware of BSFK?

The contact came about through Matthias Graute, my coach, who has been supporting BSFK as an athlete himself for two years. During virtual training sessions, I also met Christian Krause, who told me that they were still looking for athletes for “Run For Kids 2021”.

motivation

“Besides my professional commitment to the fight against cancer, BSFK now also offers me a way to alleviate the effects of this terrible disease in my private life. The fact that I can also combine it with my passion for sports makes it all the more meaningful to me. I hope that the ‘Run For Kids’ will be just the first step towards many more successful initiatives.”

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Thomas Kemper

Place of residence

Bochum

fundraising campaign

BSFK Run 2021

How did you become aware of BSFK?

I know Jörn through our shared passion for stand-up paddleboarding, so I’ve been a supporter/assistant from the very beginning. I’m very happy to be accepted into the circle of athletes.

motivation

“The opportunity to help children with my ‘hobby’ is simply fantastic and very motivating. I’m already looking forward to the upcoming goals/activities with great anticipation.”

Who are we?

NonStop4Kids is a team of athletically ambitious stand-up paddleboarders:

Anne de Boer
Tim Ober-Bloibaum
Anja Ober-Bloibaum
Carsten Hanke
Sandra Hinkel

What are our plans?

Together we form a mixed relay team for this year’s SUP 11 City Nonstop Tour in Holland. The tour has a total length of over 200 kilometers. Our ambitious goal is to complete this tour in under 30 hours.

What is the SUP 11 City Nonstop Tour?

It is one of the oldest long-distance races in the world. Its roots go back to the classic Eleven Cities Tour, which has been held in the Netherlands since the 1890s. Originally, the Eleven Cities Tour was a purely natural ice long-distance race, regularly taking place on the frozen canals and waterways of Friesland. Since the waterways have rarely, if ever, frozen for some time now, the tour is taking place for the twelfth consecutive year in September on liquid water. The primary mode of paddling is stand-up paddleboards.

What is our motivation?

We love our sport, train on longer distances, and regularly participate in races. Combining athletic goals with a good cause is particularly motivating for us. The SUP 11 City Nonstop Tour presents a huge challenge for us, as none of us except Sandra have ever paddled the entire route before.

How did we become aware of BSFK?

Since Jörn from BSFK is also a regular on the waterways in the region, it wasn’t long before we practically crossed paths. From the start, we were impressed by his dedication. Anja participated in the “Swim for Kids” event, providing soup and support for the swimmers collecting donations on Lake Baldeney. The idea of ​​launching our own sporting project in collaboration with BSFK soon followed.

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Helge Günther

Place of residence

Schwerte on the Ruhr

fundraising campaign

Helge has been involved since the very beginning and is always coming up with new ways to support our projects through donations. He either makes donation boxes himself and sets them up at work or various sporting events, or he personally attends our events and, through his help, gives the sick children a wonderful day.

Donation amount

several hundred euros

How did you become aware of BSFK?

About a report on WDR television

motivation

“When it comes to children, I’m always there – I consider it an indescribable blessing to have two healthy, now grown-up children. I try to support families who don’t have this luxury with everything I can (money/effort/time). Through the collaboration with BSFK, an acquaintance has turned into a wonderful friendship.”

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Christian Krause

Place of residence

Duisburg

fundraising campaign

Christian is one of our athletes. As a passionate triathlete, he competed for BSFK in various triathlon and running competitions throughout Germany, completing over 390 kilometers of races. Beforehand, he built his own circle of supporters and informed them about his mileage program. The idea was to collect donations for our charitable projects for every kilometer he completed.

Even after his campaign, Christian remains loyal to us. He is now even an active member of our association “BeStrongForKids eV” and actively supports us in numerous projects.

Competition kilometers 2020

approximately 500 km

How did you become aware of BSFK?

Participation in the “24h Charity City Battle”

motivation

“I support the initiative because it will provide help to many sick children and their families.”

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Dr. iur. Tobias Weimer

Member of the German National Triathlon Team 2019 (Sprint Distance)

Place of residence

Mülheim an der Ruhr

fundraising campaign

Tobias will support us as a BSFK athlete at various running and triathlon competitions, collecting donations for every kilometer he runs. At the same time, he and Katrin Wand, also a BSFK athlete, are planning to organize a sponsored run (summer 2020) to benefit our club.

Competition kilometers 2020

approximately 200km

How did you become aware of BSFK?

About my friend and training partner Christian Krause.

motivation

“BSFK is a great opportunity for me to combine social commitment with my passion for sport. In particular, the immediate, direct help for sick and/or needy children, as well as the fact that various projects or institutions are supported, convinced me.”

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2nd Men’s Team HTC Uhlenhorst

Place of residence

Mülheim an der Ruhr

fundraising campaign

Like any other sports team, the second men’s team of HTC Uhlenhorst Mülheim had to find ways to stay fit during the lockdown. This was achieved partly through joint strength training sessions via video call, but primarily through running sessions with the goal of accumulating as many kilometers as possible. This led to the idea of ​​converting these kilometers into a good cause. From the initial idea of ​​the second men’s team donating €0.25 per kilometer to the chosen charity, ‘Be Strong for Kids’, a charity run was organized, involving the entire second men’s team community.

Every member or Uhlen supporter could place a bet on us and donate for every kilometer run between December 6, 2020, and January 6, 2021, or donate a fixed amount for the benefit of the children. The charity run was promoted via newsletters, newspaper articles, and a dedicated social media account.

How did you become aware of BSFK?

HTC Uhlenhorst has supported the BSFK club in the past. Furthermore, we have several players on the team who previously attended Broich Gymnasium under Jörn Schulz and therefore have a connection to the club.

motivation

“Overall, we in the team felt a great sense of gratitude that, despite a global epidemic, we have the opportunity to continue playing sports and having fun together digitally. We are aware that not everyone has the chance to enjoy this change of pace in their daily routine as a team, and that there are people who have been hit much harder than us.”

Looking at it more broadly, every single player on the HTCU second men’s team had the privilege of experiencing a stable and secure childhood and being gently introduced to sports at HTC Uhlenhorst. Over the years, a true second family has developed here at the club, and we can pursue what we love—playing sports, or rather, hockey—without hesitation or fear. Now it’s time to give something back, specifically to the children who didn’t have or don’t have these privileges.

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Pablo Nolte & Alexander Nitsch

Place of residence

Bochum

fundraising campaign

Tandem SUP 2022
The two friends will travel the Dortmund-Ems Canal from Dortmund to Emden together using stand-up paddleboards, and since they are so difficult to separate, they will do so together on a tandem board in 5 days.

How did you become aware of BSFK?

About Arno Krombholz from the ActiveOnkoKids network.

motivation

“We became aware of the club and immediately felt drawn to it. Sport and extraordinary events are what define our friendship. We will embrace the positive energy generated and hope to reach as many people as possible with it.”

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Jan Fitschen

Place of residence

Mettmann

fundraising campaign

BSFK Relay Ruhr Cycle Route 2021

How did you become aware of BSFK?

I became aware of BSFK through my former training partner Katrin Wand.

motivation

“A great charity run for local causes. And of course, it’s even better when it’s organized by a teammate…”

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Sportfreunde Mülheim eV

Club headquarters

Mülheim an der Ruhr

fundraising campaign

Our club was newly founded this year and was scheduled to play its first competitive match on August 17th. To celebrate this occasion, we invited friends and family to cheer us on at our first game. Since many expenses arise during the founding phase of a club, we decided to hold a small fundraising event. These donations would cover various training materials and the rental of the sports field. To ensure we didn’t benefit solely from the fundraising, we decided to donate half of the proceeds to a charitable organization. We then contacted Be Strong For Kids e.V.

How did you become aware of BSFK?

Since most of our club members live in Mülheim and Essen, we’ve heard about BSFK’s activities from time to time. Because we liked the idea and the many projects, Be Strong For Kids was the first organization we contacted.

motivation

“With the founding of our club, we wanted to create an environment where the focus is on the enjoyment of the sport. We also simply wanted to send a positive message. After all, football isn’t just about tough tackles and winning or losing, but much more about the wonderful camaraderie of team sports.”

To spread this positivity, we wanted to get involved in social causes. With Be Strong For Kids, we want to support an organization whose projects give many children the opportunity to discover the positive aspects of sport and community.”

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Kira Engel and Jonas Scherer

Place of residence

Mülheim an der Ruhr

fundraising campaign

We are cycling from Mülheim via Brussels to Paris, approximately 560km in 5 days.

How did you become aware of BSFK?

About Mr. Schulz as a teacher at the Broich Gymnasium

motivation

“We want to continue to stay in contact with BSFK with our enthusiasm for sports, inspire others and also enable other children to enjoy sports.”

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Matthias Graute

Place of residence

Eat

fundraising campaign

Matthias is one of our athletes. As a passionate obstacle course racer, he competes in various obstacle races in Germany and around the world for BSFK. He personally selects his own group of donors and informs them about his mileage program. The idea behind it is to collect donations for our charitable projects for every kilometer he completes.

19.01. Pulheim Relay Marathon (10km)
February 8th, Hyrox Hannover (Crossfit with 8-9 kilometers of running)
07.03. Spartan Mallorca (10km)
April 4th (during qualifying) Hyrox World Championships Berlin
April 19th OCR Series Ghent (20km)
12.05. OCR Series Amsterdam (20km)
25.07 Xletix Tirol (20km)
30.08 OCR World Series (20km)
17.9. OCR World Championships Sochi (15km)
November Hyrox Essen
December Red Bull All in

Follow the competitions on
https://www.instagram.com/matthias_graute/

Competition kilometers 2020

150km

How did you become aware of BSFK?

I have been following BSFK with great enthusiasm from the very first minute.

motivation

“I want to help sick children and use sport to inspire other athletes to join the project.”

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Henrike Dolgner

Place of residence

Eat

How did you become aware of BSFK?

I first became aware of BSFK during the “G” fundraising gala of the University of Duisburg-Essen, where I participated as an acrobat. Above all, the diverse range of products and the different projects immediately impressed me.

motivation

“Through my work in the association “Integration through Sport and Education” and at the Leibniz Gymnasium in Essen, I gained many insights into a world that is very different from the one in which I grew up. What I have always found particularly impressive is the gratitude that children from socially disadvantaged areas give in return. Having the opportunity to undertake such a journey is not something to be taken for granted, which is why I would like to share some of this good fortune. Because what makes my journey so special are the encounters with people, and therefore I see BSFK as a great opportunity to create encounters in sport between different cultures.”

An insight into Henrike’s action

Itinerary:

https://www.polarsteps.com/HenrikeDolgner/11764593-skandinavien?s=e3293bda-14bb-44e3-b1f6-a1daedfeea7f

https://www.instagram.com/henrike.dolg?igsh=MWliNXh5OGllYjhzcg==

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Nelson Kohlbus

Place of residence

Mülheim an der Ruhr

How did you become aware of BSFK?

I was looking for an organization that could support my project. Through Mr. Schulz, who was my sports teacher, I learned about BSFK and was immediately enthusiastic.

motivation

“I grew up in two cultures: Western and Asian. Early on, I realized how important it is to help children. Encountering disadvantaged children in my community, in both Chinese and German cultures, deeply touched me and made me realize how luxurious our lives truly are. This realization motivates me to advocate for their needs.”

Live tracking

https://z6z.co/swim-beyond/

Donation page

https://www.gofundme.com/f/swim-beyond

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Dr. med. Katrin Wand

former competitive athlete (5,000m and 10,000m at TV Wattenscheid 01)
German champion in the W35 age group over 10,000m

Place of residence

Eat

fundraising campaign

Katrin will support us as a BSFK athlete at various running competitions and collect donations for every kilometer run. She is also planning to organize a sponsored run (summer 2020) to benefit our club.

Competition kilometers 2020

approximately 100km

How did you become aware of BSFK?

About a joint running event with Jörn and Christian Krause (in Duisburg 2019)

motivation

“BSFK is a great opportunity for me to support children who need it most through my running! Children and running are one of the most important things in my life!”

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Hendrik Feldwehr

Hendrik is a former competitive athlete who won medals at World and European Championships and participated in the 2012 Olympic Games. He wants to raise money for BSFK through various activities.

Place of residence

Eat

fundraising campaign

Participants in Swim For Kids 2020 – 7.5 km swim through Lake Baldeney in Essen

How did you become aware of BSFK?

Through Damian Wierling. He brought BSFK to my attention.

motivation

“With BSFK I have the great opportunity to combine my enthusiasm for sport with helping children in need.”

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Various learning groups for Catholic religious education at the Goethe School in Essen

Location

Eat

fundraising campaign

In 2020, a 12th-grade Catholic religious education class organized the first St. Martin’s Day Run and donated the proceeds to BSFK. We plan to repeat this run in 2021. We would be delighted if other schools would also participate in the run between St. Martin’s Day and St. Nicholas’ Day.

Donation amount

End of 2020: 11,500 euros

How did you become aware of BSFK?

Through a planned cooperation between the Goethe School and BSFK.

motivation

“We think the Friends’ Circle campaign is really great, as it allows us to combine the social commitment that is always part of religious education with a sporting event. We hope that we can continue to use the charity run to draw attention to children in need and do something good for them.”

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Marcus Batz and his steadily growing team

Place of residence

Holy House

fundraising campaign

Every year, the team participates in the 24-hour race “Rad am Ring” on the legendary Nordschleife at the Nürburgring, raising funds for BSFK.

In 2019, we were able to finance a long-awaited exercise bike for the sports therapy program at the pediatric oncology ward at Essen University Hospital. In 2020, we renovated a climbing frame at the German Child Protection Association’s “Spatzennest” (Sparrow’s Nest) daycare center, and the following year, we had a temporary riding arena prepared for equine therapy and covered the rental costs during the winter months.

In 2022, the children of the St. Josef home were thrilled to receive a donation of a Big-Sup for paddling on the Ruhr river, and the following year we were able to hand over 25 children’s bicycles to 3 different institutions.

In 2024, an inclusive tricycle for transporting children in wheelchairs, worth around €12,000, was purchased and handed over to the association LiV (Leben in Vielfalt – Living in Diversity).

Competition kilometers since 2019

Marcus and team: approximately 12,500 km

How did you become aware of BSFK?

Jörn and I met at the German SUP Championships in 2018. From then on…
We were in regular contact and more and more things turned up that I could help with.

motivation

“At BSFK, you’re always right there with them. You see so often where and how quickly our help arrives. And how happy and grateful the children are in those moments. These are usually very moving moments, and you might even get a little teary-eyed. And that’s exactly what makes it so special. These moments are touching!”

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Damian Wierling

Place of residence

Eat

fundraising campaign

Damian has been a competitive athlete for 10 years and is one of the best German swimmers. He wants to raise money for BSFK through several sponsored races within a year.

How did you become aware of BSFK?

Through my sister Cathi, who told me about the campaign and the work of the association.

motivation

“I think the Friends Circle campaign is really cool because I can combine my passion for sports with social commitment. I hope that on the one hand I can ignite enthusiasm for sports and on the other hand raise awareness for children in need.”

Who are we?

The Café Cycle Club is a community of cycling enthusiasts with great passion…
…for good coffee,
…for everything related to cycling,
…for cohesion on and off the road.
The club now organizes its 130 members through its own app, where members arrange rides and connect with each other. On weekends, the Café Cycle Club either organizes its own Coffee, Mocha, or Black Coffee Rides throughout North Rhine-Westphalia or participates in nearly all well-known external cycling events, such as Rad am Ring, Ötztaler, Rad Race 120, Dreiländergiro, and various gravel events. In addition, the club organizes cycling trips (e.g., to Mallorca or Girona) as well as off-bike events to strengthen community bonds.
With a total of 12 regional Ride Leaders, it’s possible to offer regular midweek meetups in all major cities in North Rhine-Westphalia. This ensures that our members, who come from all over North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond, can always experience the CCC spirit close to home.

Teams

Especially in North Rhine-Westphalia (including Essen, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Wuppertal, and Cologne). But our jerseys are now also worn in other German states (Lower Saxony, Bavaria) and even across national borders (Austria, Mallorca, Australia).

fundraising campaign

CCC – Conquers Copenhagen” – Over 600 kilometers for a good cause
For the Café Cycle Club (www.cafecycleclub.de), it has always been about more than just pedaling: it’s about community, team spirit, and togetherness. So it’s no surprise that the first charity events were launched in the founding year of 2021 with “Le Tour For Kids,” followed a year later by the “Heartwarming Campaign.” Last year, this commitment culminated in “Café Cycle Club – Road To Paris.”

This year, the next fundraising voyage, “CCC – Conquers Copenhagen,” will take place. The direction of travel is changing, but the ultimate goal remains the same: to support children in need through donations. We will again be doing this through the “Be Strong For Kids (BSFK)” campaign (www.bestrongforkids.de).

The “CCC – Conquers Copenhagen” race will take place on May 29, 2024, covering over 600 kilometers from Münster in Westphalia to the Scandinavian metropolis within 24 hours. Fifteen CCC members have already registered for the challenge, but anyone can join in. Spread the word about this unique event among your family and friends, at work, and in your wider community, or donate yourself. Every euro counts!

At www.bestrongforkids.de you can transfer money (for a donation receipt) to the account specified on the website. Simply use “CCC Copenhagen” in the subject line.

You can also follow the ride from the comfort of your couch. Get a direct glimpse into the peloton via Instagram (@cafecycleclub). Look forward to great photos from our club photographer Sven L. on Instagram and the CCC website.

We look forward to your support!

Watts For Children

Your Café Cycle Club

How did you become aware of BSFK?

The contact with BSFK came about through Flo. He’s known Jörn for a long time, back when they were both hooked on tennis. After learning about the SUP event on the Ruhr River via Facebook, he got in touch immediately to offer his own sporting support. The fact that this is now becoming a reality with the Café Cycle Club is all the more wonderful and demonstrates the unifying power of sport on all levels.

motivation

“Community and solidarity are the cornerstones of our club philosophy. But our goal of supporting each other extends beyond internally. ‘Social Riding’ begins with spontaneous roadside assistance and culminates in carefully planned charity projects, all with one primary objective: to give our all for those who currently need support. To put our words into action, we are thrilled to have partnered with Be Strong For Kids, an organization that has been raising awareness of the plight of children and young people with cancer, kidney disease, and physical and mental disabilities through extraordinary fundraising campaigns since 2016.”

The team

Florian Bode (founder of the club), Andreas Frank, Philipp Babranyi and the entire Café Cycle Club team, consisting of 130 members and friends.

contact

Email: info@cafecycleclub.de
Homepage: www.cafecycleclub.de
Instagram: @cafecycleclub

name

Max Manzelmann

Who are you?

My name is Max Manzelmann and I am 19 years old. I have played competitive football my whole life, and for the last few years, running has become a second passion of mine.

In which area do you work for BSFK?

I will be active as an athlete within the athletes’ circle and will run 900km from the northernmost point in Germany to Munich.

How long have you been involved?

I will begin my journey through Germany in March 2025. Preparations are already in full swing and I can hardly wait for it to finally start.

How did you come to join BSFK?

Jörn Schulz was my PE teacher for several years at school, and he told our class about his project. My whole class was already incredibly enthusiastic about BSFK back then, so we collected donations together for the first time in 8th grade. Since then, I’ve never completely lost sight of BSFK.

Why are you involved with BSFK?

I want to get involved with BSFK because I’m aware of how many people take things like security, education, and health for granted, even though these are sadly not the norm for many children. I think it’s important to give these children the support they need so they can develop freely and build a stable foundation for life. Through BSFK, I can contribute to ensuring these children also get the opportunities they deserve and perhaps inspire others to get involved in social projects as well.

Who am I?

My name is Samuel Fischer, and on July 11, 2025 I will embark on my biggest adventure yet:

As part of the Race Across Germany, I am cycling non-stop from Flensburg to Garmisch-Partenkirchen – across all of Germany, over 1,100 kilometers – for a good cause.

My goal:

Collecting donations for Be strong for kids eV and Kindertal eV – two organizations that dedicate themselves wholeheartedly and actively to helping sick, disadvantaged, and needy children. 💙

fundraising campaign

📍 Start: July 11, 2025 in Flensburg

🎯 Destination: Garmisch-Partenkirchen

📏 Distance: 1,100 km

🕐 Mode: Nonstop, day and night – an extreme physical and mental challenge

Why I’m doing this:

Health, safety, education, leisure – for many children in Germany, these are not things to be taken for granted.

I’m driving to raise awareness – and to collect donations. For children who urgently need our support. For children whose future depends on our solidarity.

With this ride, I want to show: Each of us can make a difference. Every pedal stroke counts.

Donate & Get Involved

Support me and help change lives:

Together we can give hope. Together we are strong – for children in need.

Swimming assistant

Swimming Instructor

swimming instructor

During the summer months, Be Strong For Kids offers a weekly Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) course on the Ruhr River in Essen-Werden in partnership with Light Board Corp, Sunova Surfboards, and KG Wanderfalke.

Participants learn the fundamentals of stand-up paddleboarding and stand-up paddle polo while improving their balance, coordination, and overall fitness in a fun and supportive group environment. The course is also particularly well suited for children and teenagers who are returning to physical activity following illness or medical treatment.

As with all BSFK programs, enjoyment is at the heart of the experience. Activities include team challenges, friendly races, rescue exercises, and even human pyramids on the boards, creating plenty of opportunities for fun, teamwork, and unforgettable experiences on the water.

We would like to thank KG Wanderfalke e.V. for generously providing access to their riverside facilities free of charge and making this program possible.

Photos: Dominik-Antoni.de

Organization and project management
Child protection

florence.grgic@bestrongforkids.de

Organization and project management
Swimming coach (C license)

a.kueck@bestrongforkids.de

System Management
Child protection officer

gianina.chatzopoulos@bestrongforkids.de

Child protection officer

childprotection@bestrongforkids.de

basketball
BSFK Goes School

Social Media
Orga BSFK Goes School

Social Media
Orga BSFK Goes School

sports teacher
Swimming organization

Social Media
Swimming assistant

Events

Events

Events
Orga BSFK Goes School

tax advisor

photographer

Homepage
Swimming assistant

journalist

Editorial office
Shaft 11

Swimming coach (C license)

Swimming assistant