Sixth edition: FIEGE Christmas Express once again delivers moving moments in the run-up to Christmas
For the sixth time, the FIEGE Christmas Express rolled through the Münsterland region this year, visiting people who particularly deserved a little pre-Christmas surprise. On board were Preußen players Jorrit Hendrix, Johannes Schenk, Antonio Tikvic and Niko Koulis. There were many surprised faces – and little moments of joy.
A surprise just before the holidays: On Monday, six special people in the Münsterland region were amazed when the FIEGE Christmas Express pulled up outside their homes and prominent visitors rang their doorbells. Preußen players Jorrit Hendrix, Johannes Schenk, Antonio Tikvic and Niko Koulis set off in teams of two to surprise people who had had a difficult year or who had shown particular commitment to their fellow human beings with the FIEGE Christmas Express along a route of more than 150 kilometres from Münster via Ascheberg, Nordkirchen, Greven and Altenberge to Everswinkel. They brought with them a SC Preußen Münster home jersey and a department store voucher worth €800, which were presented to the surprised winners along with a private autograph session.
More than 90 applications had been received beforehand. The jury, consisting of Ole Kittner (managing director of sports at Preußen Münster), Simon Scherder (player and "football god" of Preußen Münster in a dual role), Sarah Schimmelpfennig (executive director of marketing & communications at FIEGE) and Martin Rademaker (board member at FIEGE), ultimately selected six winners. Martin Rademaker explains: "Once again this year, we received many moving stories from the region. We are delighted that the campaign has become established and has been so well received. At the same time, it feels like it gets a little bit harder every year to choose six winners – because the stories of the people who didn't make it into the top six also touched us deeply."
Sometimes street football, sometimes table football: Preußen professionals Jorrit Hendrix, Antonio Tikvic, Johannes Schenk and Niko Koulis created special moments for six special people in the Münsterland region during their visits with the FIEGE Christmas Express. (Photos: FIEGE)
Stories that move people
There was the story of Leo from Ascheberg, a fan of the Prussia football club, who is bravely battling leukaemia. Or the story of Uli from Altenberge, a volunteer who set up an inclusive football team and has passionately pursued his heartfelt project for over nine years, but is now unable to continue due to a serious illness. The story of nine-year-old Henri from Gievenbeck, whose father spent several weeks in intensive care this year after a serious cycling accident and is now slowly fighting his way back to everyday life. There was twelve-year-old Florian from Greven, who lost his little brother far too early this year. There was a young Preußen fan from Everswinkel who has had to spend so much time in hospitals since birth due to a serious illness and who received a kidney transplant this year. And there was the story of 12-year-old Timm Noah from Nordkirchen, who suffers from the rare ATR-X syndrome but has not lost his zest for life.
"This was my first time on the trip," says Preußen captain Jorrit Hendrix about his debut on the FIEGE Christmas Express. "The stories of the people we visited today really touched me and moved me – but it was also wonderful to see how happy the winners were about our surprise visits and that we were clearly able to give them a special moment." SCP goalkeeper Johannes Schenk adds: "I wish the winners we met today all the best and lots of strength for the future. We met some real fighters today. I have great respect for how they are dealing with their respective situations – and I hope that we were able to contribute a little bit to helping them continue on their path as bravely as they have done so far."
