Cycling for People Share
hristoph Kothbauer (real estate law expert, HerzTraum ambassador, lead lawyer of the online property management) teamed up with Tatjana Grinninger (Herztraum Immobilien GmbH) to take up cycling for a charitable cause, raising donations for the PeopleShare Foundation. The Cycling for PeopleShare tour covered all Austrian federal states in 15 daily stages, with the team averaging 120 km per day. For every kilometer ridden, Christoph Kothbauer donated one euro and invited colleagues and friends to join in supporting the humanitarian effort. In total, Christoph Kothbauer and Tatjana Grinninger cycled 1,747 km, raising a sum of 21,723 euros for the association Grow Together.
On July 10, 2014, the cyclists were ceremoniously sent off in the garden of managing director and Herztraum founder Hermann Rauter, in the presence of media representatives (video).
The tour was documented in diary form on Facebook, helping to spread the initiators’ cause. There was also support in a sporting sense: on two stages, the protagonists were accompanied by none other than multiple Austrian national cycling champion Hans Peter Obwaller. René Haselbacher—also an Austrian national cycling champion and multiple Tour de France participant—personally congratulated them on the successful tour finale.
In their closing remarks, Christoph Kothbauer and Tatjana Grinninger mentioned the many joyful moments the tour brought them, but especially the strong support from their colleagues: “Our own contribution was actually quite small. But when many come together around one idea, something greater can emerge. Therefore, the success of our charity campaign fills us with humility and gratitude. This lived solidarity in the real estate industry gives courage and hope.” Another important insight the two cyclists took away from the tour was: “We have learned that sharing makes you happy.” (Video)
Thanks to the support of generous donors and sponsors, a total of €21,723 was raised, which will be donated 100% to the Grow Together association. Grow Together provides intensive and long-term support to families in particularly difficult life situations starting from the birth of their baby, so that children can grow up in a lovingly supportive environment. Single mothers and young, resource-poor families belong to the risk group most threatened by poverty, and their children have only a very slim chance of escaping the poverty trap. The “Family” project by Grow Together aims exactly at this point and helps children to grow up in a safe and secure home. Mothers and their babies receive therapeutic and psychosocial support and accompaniment several times a week without having to leave their homes — individually, intensively, and over the long term. This allows them to learn to recognize and appreciate new relationship patterns. This enables healthy child development and supports the social and professional advancement of the mothers/parents. The period around birth is — as numerous studies show — both neurobiologically and psychosocially a “window of opportunity” in which changes are possible long-term and sustainably. Learn more at http://www.growtogether.at.
As part of a wonderful kickoff event for the “Family” project, the check handover took place on October 1, 2014. (Video)
Cycling for PeopleShare was the first collaboration between PeopleShare Foundation and Grow Together, but it certainly won’t be the last. It’s also about sharing a common vision. What can our society do so that people share, like PeopleShare, and on the other hand, grow together, like Grow Together? In this respect, it fits perfectly.
Tour diary and information about the charity event can be found at facebook.com/cyclingforpeopleshare
Our children are our future – and we shape the future of our children with what we do now. A heartfelt thank you to all donors and sponsors, especially:
