Especially in times of wars and crises, it is important to stand together and support each other. For more than 100 years, Ottobock has been helping people to maintain or regain their mobility. Putting people first has always been at the heart of the company’s DNA. That is why the Duderstadt-based med-tech manufacturer regularly donates sums of money to institutions in the region and beyond during the Christmas season. “We are aware of how lucky we are. We live in a peaceful environment and we are also doing well economically. That’s why it’s important to think of those for whom life is more difficult,” says Oliver Jakobi, CEO of Ottobock.

Caritas wish list campaign

That is why, as in previous years, Ottobock is committed to the Caritasverband Südniedersachsen e.V. in Duderstadt. On Friday, 29 November 2024, Oliver Jakobi presented a cheque for 10,000 euros as financial support. This money is used to make an individual Christmas present to people in low-income households. In addition to donating money, Ottobock employees are also helping pack the around 700 packages.

RTL Charity Marathon

A week earlier, Ottobock and a team of nearly 40 members were part of the 24h Inclusion Challenge as part of the 29th RTL charity marathon. For 24 hours, the Ottobock team mastered a 250 m wheelchair course. In the end, they took second place and became part of a world record. Ottobock’s technical service was also on hand to ensure that the wheelchairs were ready for use again quickly if the tyres were flat, wheels were broken, etc. Ottobock provided 50 wheelchairs required for the challenge on loan. In addition to its sporting and technical commitment, the company donated 10,000 euros to the “Stiftung RTL – Wir helfen Kindern e.V.”. The 22 teams that took part in the 24h Inclusion Challenge collected a total of 633,381 euros. This money is used to support inclusion projects for children.

Food Bank ‘Tafel St. Servatius’

In Duderstadt, the food bank of St. Servatius will also be given a donation this year. “It’s important to us that we provide specific support where help is needed,” says Oliver Jakobi. "We see every day in the media how great the need for care is in the many crisis regions worldwide. But there are also people living directly in our environment who are dependent on support - for example through the care of the food bank. The commitment of the employees there is impressive. We would like to make a contribution with our donation.”

Ottobock Global Foundation

In order to be able to provide children and young people in crisis areas around the world with prostheses, orthoses and wheelchairs, Ottobock supports the Ottobock Global Foundation. This donation has also become a tradition. With the beginning of the Gaza conflict last year, the Ottobock Global Foundation specifically called for donations to care for the injured children there. Despite the difficult situation in that region, 38 children and young people have already received treatment outside Gaza. "The need in the Gaza region is huge, but access is currently extremely difficult. We are prepared to start supplying on a larger scale as soon as it becomes possible," says Oliver Jakobi.

Tabalugahaus Duderstadt

The Tabalugahaus in Duderstadt will also receive a donation again this year. The Tabalugahaus emerged from the 'Shelters for Children' project, which Ottobock owner Prof. Hans Georg Näder launched together with his friend Peter Maffay. Since 2012, the facility has been offering children and young people who grow up under difficult conditions the opportunity to live there for some time, to take their minds off things and to draw strength.