The ZDF fundraising gala "Die große Weihnachtsshow", hosted by Giovanni Zarrella for the first time, was very successful this year: by midnight, more than 3.7 million euros had been raised for the work of Bread for the World and Misereor - a new record result. This means that more donations were collected during the show than last year, when Carmen Nebel hosted the show for the last time and broke the donation record. Stars such as Eros Ramazzotti, Beatrice Egli, Howard Carpendale, the No Angels, Alexander Klaws and the dance group Lord Of The Dance were guests and supported Giovanni Zarrella. The donation hotline was also staffed by well-known faces such as René Casselly, Kati Wilhelm and Jana Ina Zarrella. The entrepreneur Johannes Zurnieden, head of Phoenix-Reisen, who has special ties to Misereor, once again showed his generosity. He donated 1.2 million euros. A large donation totalling half a million euros also came from a donor with special ties to Bread for the World.
Films about projects in Côte d'Ivoire, Peru, Sri Lanka and Ukraine showed the audience how their donations can provide concrete support to people in need. The films focused on how partners of Bread for the World are helping people in Peru to achieve secure harvests despite climate change and how they are helping refugee children and their families in Ukraine to come to terms with the experiences of war. Misereor's partner projects empower young people with educational programmes in Côte d'Ivoire and women in Sri Lanka to stand up for their rights.
Important support for partner projects
The President of Bread for the World, Dagmar Pruin, said: "Our projects show how much the lives of many people around the world are improved by our work and that of our partners. We are deeply grateful for the support of our viewers. Every single contribution makes a concrete difference every day."
Misereor CEO Andreas Frick also expressed his gratitude for the great solidarity with people in disadvantaged regions of the world: "Every donation helps to overcome hunger, strengthen human rights and promote just change. Thanks to your support, Misereor can accompany people in need in the global South and help to make these goals a reality."
Donations still possible
The donation hotline on 0180 220 20 (6 cents per call from German landlines and mobile phones) will continue to be manned until midnight today, 5 December. Donations can also be made online at gala-spende.de. Further information on the projects featured in the show can also be found there.
Misereor and Bread for the World have a joint donation account for donations to the gala:
Misereor / Brot für die Welt
Sozial Bank AG, Cologne
Keyword ZDF-Weihnachtsshow
IBAN: DE63 3702 0500 0004 1084 03
BIC: BFSWDE33XXX
