Hartrodt adds support to football campaign for disadvantaged

As the countdown to the Fifa Football World Cup gathers momentum, logistics major a. hartrodt South Africa has kicked off its own campaign – to support the football dreams of as many of South Africa’s disadvantaged children as possible. It all began during a holiday to South Africa by a couple of Hamburg-based football enthusiasts. During their visit they met up with Gert Potgieter, the CEO of Altus Sport, a non-profit organisation committed to sports development in our many disadvantaged communities. Altus Sport relies totally on sponsorship and donations to carry out their work. The organisation opened the holiday makers’ eyes to the plight of the many disadvantaged children who did not have the facilities or equipment to practise their sport. Touched by the plight of the children, they decided on their return to Germany to speak to companies, organisations and people to do whatever they could to assist Altus Sport in their efforts. Among their friends was Jan Bülck – an employee of a. hartrodt Hamburg, who spoke to colleagues within the company and it was agreed that a. hartrodt would join and support this worthy initiative. An article was placed in a Hamburg newspaper appealing for donations of used equipment – and the response was overwhelming. What started as a local initiative soon went nationwide. Before they knew it, individuals, companies and organisations had donated enough new and used football gear to fill a 6m container. The container will soon be on its way to Durban where a. hartrodt South Africa will ensure it is swiftly moved through to Altus Sport in Pretoria for distribution to the eagerly waiting young football enthusiasts. “While the timing couldn’t be better with the World Cup on our doorstep, hartrodt Germany, their partners in sponsorship, as well as Bülck, his colleagues and the many friends who initially drove this project are now looking at other such initiatives for the future,” says hartrodt South Africa’s Donna Broekman, who is co-ordinating the South African arrangements. Any company or person interested in adding their support to this or future initiatives should email: dmbroekman@hartrodt.co.za