Rittal Cup results in record donations: football for a good cause

The 2019 Rittal Cup was able to boast a record result: No less than €10,400 was raised for charitable purposes. The “Charlie und Lotte” grief counselling service, the German Red Cross’s Dietzhölztal branch, the church-run care centre in Eschenburg and the SG Dietzhölztal, a local sports club, all benefited from the donations.

Not even the organisers could have hoped for it – at this summer’s 27th Rittal Cup, more money was raised for good causes than ever before. “We are delighted to be able to support such important social work in the region with our Rittal Cup event,” said Andreas Huck, Managing Director of Loh Services and responsible for Finance and Administration at the Friedhelm Loh Group: “Now in its 27th year, the Rittal Cup has established itself as a real family celebration for the Friedhelm Loh Group, offering fun through sport and that serving a good cause. We would like to thank Norbert Peter and all his team for their excellent organisation.” Norbert Peter, Plant Manager of the Rittal factories in Rittershausen and Ewersbach, praised the recipients of the donations: “The money is being put to good use. Volunteering is not something that should be taken for granted. It deserves a great deal of respect and support.” Professor Friedhelm Loh, Owner and CEO of the Friedhelm Loh Group, again matched the amount of money donated.

A total of 111 goals were celebrated during the 1152 minutes played in the 27th Rittal Cup. In the end, the Cup went to the “home team” – RGS 1 from the Rittershausen plant. It was not only the teams and visitors who were delighted by the successful tournament. The proceeds went to the “Charlie und Lotte” grief counselling service of the Central Hesse Hospice, the Dietzhölztal branch of the German Red Cross (again present during the Rittal Cup), the church-run care centre in Eschenburg and SG Dietzhölztal, a local sports club, which traditionally hosts the tournament in Ewersbach’s Burbach Stadium.

Support for creative groups

The “Charlie und Lotte” grief counselling service was given €2,500. This money is earmarked for creative group work, such as the music therapy group for participants aged between 12 and 14, coordinator Petra Gießler said. “Charlie und Lotte” is a project that supports children and adolescents who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The focus is on the whole family. The project is funded solely by donations and depends on voluntary work.

Cash injection for the German Red Cross

The Red Cross branch in Dietzhölztal was awarded €1,200. Heidi Hofmann and Monika Wunderlich explained the how the donation would help when it was handed over: The Red Cross branch finances training activities from its own funds. In addition, the roof of the garage for the Red Cross bus is being renovated. Thanks to the contribution, such items are now less of a burden and more money is available for training. The Red Cross branch has been a fixture at the Rittal Cup on the sports ground next to the reservoir for many years.

Chairs and songbooks for the church-run care centre

Among other things, the church-run care centre in Dietzhölztal wants to purchase new chairs and song-books for groups including people with dementia from the donation of more than €1,500. The facility currently offers three groups with a total of 33 participants, some of whom are also brought to the events by bus, Conny Schwarz and Conny Rein of the centre explained. Fifty-five volunteers are involved in this work.

Investment in young football players

The SG Dietzhölztal received the daily takings from the tournament. This cash injection will benefit the club’s own youth work. The donation is also a “thank you” for the commitment that the footballers put into the Rittal Cup. The club looks after catering and the smooth running of the competition, for example.

The Dietzhölztal municipality provides the Burbach Stadium, the parking lot and the adjoining leisure area for the football tournament; this time 19 teams from the Friedhelm Loh Group took part. This year, the DLRG (German Life Saving Society) chapter from the Aartalsee lake also became involved. It was responsible for supervising the water sports during the family festival, which took place on the reservoir.