EUR 7000 for people in need: Stromnetz Berlin gives Christmas donation to Berlin-based counselling hotline (Telefonseelsorge)

20.11.2014

As part of a charity organ concert with funds going to Telefonseelsorge Berlin, Dr Helmar Rendez, CEO of Stromnetz Berlin GmbH, presented Anselm Lange, head of Telefonseelsorge Berlin e.V., with a cheque for EUR 7000.

As part of a charity organ concert with funds going to Telefonseelsorge Berlin, Dr Helmar Rendez, CEO of Stromnetz Berlin GmbH, presented Anselm Lange, head of Telefonseelsorge Berlin e.V., with a cheque for EUR 7000.

"We really hope that our donation will contribute to the important work of the Telefonseelsorge. As a regional business, our connection to the city of Berlin and its residents is integral to our work," said Dr Helmar Rendez. Stromnetz Berlin decided several years ago that it would not give Christmas gifts to business partners and that the money saved by doing this would be donated to a good cause.

Anselm Lange accepted the cheque on behalf of all the organisation's employees and explained: "We would like to say a massive thank you to Stromnetz GmbH for this year's annual donation to Telefonseelsorge Berlin. It helps us at a time when we are in urgent need of support to make sure that we can train our voluntary staff. The often difficult work involved in running a crisis telephone service means that even after their comprehensive training programme, Telefonseelsorge's staff also need to participate in regular top-up training."

The circa 150 voluntary staff at Telefonseelsorge Berlin are available to people in crisis every day of the year, at any time of day. They help callers to get their thoughts in order, bring light into the darkness and offer some perspective. Telefonseelsorge provides a listening ear for all problems and all callers, whatever their situation, regardless of religious or political views, background or gender. All telephone calls are confidential and anonymous.