“We become involved where children need help.”
Axel Springer heard on the radio that almost 1,500 children are killed in traffic accidents in Germany every year. So he decided that BILD, Europe’s biggest daily newspaper, needed to help reduce these alarming figures.
Millions participated from the very beginning.
The red “Ein Herz für Kinder” (A Heart for Children) stickers were developed. This was the beginning of BILD’s big aid organisation. Millions of motorists joined in, sticking the stickers on their cars as a symbol of the consideration they show in road traffic.
Since then, “Ein Herz für Kinder” has campaigned for more traffic lights, more zebra crossings, limited traffic zones and play streets. And been successful. The number of children killed in traffic accidents has in fact been reduced.
“Ein Herz für Kinder” – an internationally active aid organisation
What began as a campaign for better road safety in Germany soon become an internationally active aid organisation.
And today we are still concerned with the most vulnerable members – our children. Both in Germany, where our funding priority is, as here children and families in need also require support, and in other countries where children suffer in horrific wars, where children’s homes are destroyed by devastating natural disasters, where children cannot receive qualified medical assistance in their own countries.
In short, “Ein Herz für Kinder” becomes involved where children are in need and require help. Note that every cent you donate goes directly to fund aid projects for children.
What we stand for:
The aims of “Ein Herz für Kinder” have not undergone any fundamental changes since its foundation. Although our emphasis was initially on safety for children in road traffic, we have also always focused on education, health, combatting poverty and environmental protection, as in these areas the most vulnerable members of our society are also particularly affected. Our guiding principles now set out the nine key areas where “Ein Herz für Kinder” becomes involved.
The principle that once guided Axel Springer is of greater relevance today than it has ever been. “Be nice to each other.” It means: help each other. And above all it means: have a heart for children.
From the beginning
Awards
- October 2015: presentation of the “Save a Child’s Heart International Humanitarian Award”
- January 2013: “Yellow Angel” – honorary award of the ADAC Foundation
- November 2011: Honorary award of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
- November 2010: “Golden Pea” award of Deutsches Zentrum für Märchenkultur (German Centre for Fairy Tale Culture)
- October 2010: Honorary award of the Vita e.V. association
- September 2010: “Econosoph” award of the “Human Plus” organisation for special humanitarian services
- 23 April 2009: European Business Award in the category “Outstanding Social Commitment”
- November 2008: “KIND Award” of the Kinderlachen association
- 2008: Distinguished for special commitment to the “Tafel” food charity idea in Germany
- 30 March 2007: Polish medal of merit from the renowned Catholic university Jean Paul II
- December 2006: Distinguished for “The most noble-minded act of the year” awarded by the biggest Serbian daily newspaper, “Vecernje Novosti”, for exceptional social commitment
- 2006: Prize from Dolphin Aid
- April 2006: “Hans Rosenthal Honorary Award” for humanitarian and social commitment to helping children in need
- December 2005: TV benefit gala “Ein Herz für Kinder – Wir wollen helfen” wins the “Bambi” audience award
- 1980: Golden Smurf Award
- 1980: Christopherus prize – the most sought after distinction for publications promoting road safety, awarded by the HUK insurance association