Sparkling children's eyes

A match: Storm celebrities at the SOS Children’s Village

A friendly match between SK Sturm and SOS Children's Villages.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Sturm celebrities made the eyes of the 80 residents of the SOS Children's Village in Stübing sparkle on Thursday afternoon. They signed autographs and played a match with the young Sturm fans. A successful campaign of the "Sturm hilft" cooperation.

It's a great day for the residents of the SOS Children's Village in Stübing. As part of the "Sturm hilft" campaign, players from SK Sturm in Graz paid them a visit for a joint match including an autograph session. "The children were incredibly excited in the morning to see such prominent footballers literally storming the village," says Claudia Hauboldt from the SOS Children's Village.

All eyes are on the storm stars.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

They were joined by Thomas Tebbich, Managing Director Business, Helmut Degen, team manager of the women's team, and the captains Sophie Maierhofer and Stefan Hierländer. The two Sturm captains were particularly well received by the children as ambassadors for the campaign. "Over 80 children live here, including many Sturm fans," says Hauboldt.

"Sturm hilft" as support in a crisis-ridden anniversary year
These are children who have had a bumpy start in life - their upbringing characterized by stress, psychological problems or even drugs and violence. "Children find a medium or long-term home here that their parents can't offer them," says Hauboldt. He is therefore particularly grateful that the "Sturm hilft" cooperation is being put into practice wholeheartedly in the 75th anniversary year of the SOS Children's Village.

Captain Sophie Meierhofer with a young fan.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

"We are facing huge challenges in this anniversary year. In times of crisis like these, we have to offer children and young people in particular support, security and prospects. This can only work with collective responsibility. We are delighted to have such a strong partner at our side, with whom we can move children's rights from the sidelines to the middle ground so that we can continue to reliably implement our vision of providing every child with a loving home," says Birgitta Thurner, SOS Children's Village Director for Styria.

The highlight of the afternoon was the joint autograph session. The sparkle in the eyes of the children and young people was impossible to miss. Many hoped that the Sturm celebrities would stay longer - and a few additional matches were played into the evening hours.