Bayer 04 HILFT day at Leverkusen children’s day-care centre
At the intersection of football and social responsibility, Bayer 04 Leverkusen recently demonstrated how the beautiful game can inspire and help communities through initiatives out of the pitch. Their latest project, a collaboration with Leverkusen’s children’s day-care center as part of their “Bayer 04 HILFT!” program, is a example of the potential for football to lead towards climate justice.
Described as “better than winning the lottery” by participants, the event at the day-care center saw employees and volunteers from Bayer 04 Leverkusen come together to transform the facility into a more inspiring and sustainable space for the children. This hands-on collaboration created a sense of unity and mutual support among staff, children, and the wider Leverkusen community.
While at first glance this initiative might seem like a purely social project, its deeper implications align closely with the principles of climate justice. By focusing on the well-being of children and their educational environment, Bayer 04 Leverkusen highlights the importance of investing in future generations: an essential component of sustainability.
By demonstrating the power of collective action, the club is helping to plant the seeds of awareness and engagement necessary to address the pressing challenges of climate change.
The spirit of teamwork reached also the players and coaching staff. who joined the efforts at the children’s day-care center. Following their morning training session, head coach Xabi Alonso, alongside players like Jonas Hofmann, Victor Boniface, Matej Kovar, Martin Terrier, and Adam Hlozek, arrived around midday, ready to make a difference.
The team divided into groups, tackling various projects with enthusiasm: some worked on the balancing trail, while others focused on enhancing the sensory trail. The players also took time to connect with the community, posing for selfies with volunteers, including those from the Lebenshilfe-Werkstätten workshops, and signing autographs on caps and T-shirts, spreading joy and creating memories for all involved.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s ability to rally volunteers, allocate resources, and energise the community demonstrates the unique potential of football to drive grassroots initiatives that contribute to a sustainable society.
