AND THE AWARD GOES TO...

… Charity Cat! 🫶🏽 PUMA´s volunteer organisation received an award from Wünschewagen for their outstanding work over the last year. The group works closely with Wünschewagen, a non-profit organisation which helps fulfill the last wishes of terminally ill individuals. Sonja Nuetzelberger, one of the heads of Charity Cat, sat down with us to share her experiences working with the association and what makes it so special.

How long have you been involved with CharityCat?

Sonja: My journey with CharityCat here at PUMA began over 20 years ago. This was when it was not even a registered organisation yet.

In the 20 years that you have been with CharityCat, have been some highlights for you?

Sonja: The real highlight for me in our voluntary work is the certainty that our work is actually making a difference for children and people around the world.

What role does the Wünschewagen play for CharityCat?

Sonja: We are so grateful to be able to work with this initiative. The Wünschewagen should be extremely respected for the extraordinary work that the team does. Accompanying these families to fullfill these last wishes can be very emotionally taxing.

The van is so important, it carries highly emotional life stories. Would you like to share one with us?

Sonja: We were able to help fullfill two wishes with our network. The motorsport team immediately went to work to make the wish possible. Thanks again to Daniela Medla and Gregor Hübner.
The second wish almost went wrong and cost me quite a few tears. Even if you haven’t met the individual, it still touches you deeply. But in the end, we were able to fullfill the wish of a 27-year-old man.

What was it like for the team at the award ceremony?

Sonja: For Charity Cat, we were represented by three board members: Ingrid Schoyerer, Stephan Weiland and myself. Our volunteer work usually takes place more in the background. That’s why this event and award were honour for us. It shows that people see what it is that we are hoping to achieve with our work.

Thomas Dassler (Managing Director: Häffner GmBH & Co. KG) was also at the event in Herzogenaurach – how was it seeing him there and speaking with him?

Sonja: It was a funny and light-hearted moment. When we came off the stage, Mr. Dassler came straight up to us and told us that he comes from the right family – PUMA. This was an amusing moment.

Thank you very much, Sonja! Thank you for the interview, but also thanks to you and the entire Charity Cat for your tireless and important work!