Sporting power for better education
With a powerful starting signal from TV presenter Daniel Fischer, a nationwide fundraising campaign was successfully launched at Frankfurt's Günthersburgpark over the weekend, combining sporting commitment with international educational support. Under the motto "Together for children's rights in Nepal", more than 3,000 people throughout Germany and beyond have dared to join forces in sport – with a clear goal: to give children in Nepal access to good education. The initiator of the project is Dr Jochen Fortner, a partner at Deloitte. He launched the "2025 Charity Run", which will take place from 24 to 30 August in seven stages along the Way of St James in northern Spain – from O'Cebreiro to Santiago de Compostela. "For every kilometre run, donations will be made – pledged by companies and private sponsors," reports Fortner. Already 100 runners have registered, and over £100,000 in sponsorship money has been raised.
Sporting diversity – digital, decentralised, Germany-wide
The main stage in Spain will be accompanied by numerous decentralised activities in Germany. Former Ironman world champion Sebastian Kienle is organising parallel running events in several cities. Sports enthusiasts can use the fitness app Strava to document their running performance – regardless of location. "Of course, there is also a run in Frankfurt that everyone can take part in," says Kienle. As an added incentive, there are prizes such as a wellness weekend at Schloss Elmau.
Fitness influencer Viktoria Fischer, who visited Nepal herself in 2023, is also involved as a campaign sponsor. "I was deeply moved by the poverty I saw there," says the 26-year-old, who has over 200,000 followers on Instagram. Her participation in the Way of St. James is intended to raise awareness – and encourage others to follow suit.
A special challenge is being planned by Sarah Pfisterer, financial advisor and co-founder of the channel Shero Finance. In spring 2026, she will undertake a multi-day charity hike on the high-altitude Manaslu route in the Himalayas – also in aid of the initiative. Schools as a central pillar of the movement Schools in particular are sending out a strong signal. Back in May, 600 pupils from the Helene Lange School in Wiesbaden raised £50,000 as part of a cycle rally. Further highlights are planned for September: on 2 September, all pupils at the
All of the campaigns together have an ambitious goal: to raise seven figures in donations to finance a large-scale education project in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal. The region is characterised by poverty, a lack of infrastructure and difficult access to school education. "Education is the key to overcoming poverty and lack of prospects," emphasises Dr Martin Kasper, founder and honorary chairman of Childaid Network. The foundation has been committed to children's rights and educational equality in South Asia since 2007 and has reached more than 500,000 young people to date. Further information on the campaign, how to participate and how to support it can be found at: www.childaid.net and www.spendenlauf2025.deOne goal: education as a way out of poverty
