Porsche fulfils wishes of critically ill children and young people

On a secret mission at the Porsche Development Centre in Weissach, a winter shopping weekend with a loved-one, going behind-the-scenes at a zoo or meeting Santa Claus in Lapland – over the past few months, Porsche AG has made these wishes and many others come true for children, teenagers and young adults with critical illnesses in 17 countries.

This was made possible thanks to a donation of 200,000 euros from the sports car manufacturer to the internationally active Make-A-Wish. The donation was made as part of the Porsche Virtual Run initiative. From 17 September to 3 October last year, 2,300 Porsche employees around the world laced up their running shoes for this worthy cause. 

Make-A-Wish has so far recorded more than 30 very personal moments of happiness in connection with Porsche's donation, with a series of touching profiles. "The photos showing the many beaming faces are heart-warming. We gladly ran that famous ‘extra mile’ for this. We hope that the joy these young people have experienced will have a lasting effect and give them additional strength in the fight against their illnesses," says Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche.

Oliver Blume, CEO Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, 2020, Porsche AG
Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche

In the coming weeks, the dreams of more young people will come true. Sixteen-year-old Fasil, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, has already had his wish fulfilled. He was given access to a particularly well-guarded place: the Porsche Development Centre in Weissach. An absolute exception. His goal: to visit the motorsport department. On a secret mission, he took part in the first test run of a new racing car. He joined in with expert discussions with the project’s managers and was allowed to watch a Porsche factory driver at work in the racing simulator. Together with his mother and sister, he also got a glimpse of the motorsport workshop and marvelled at the many trophies displayed on the wall.

Make-A-Wish: Fasil on a secret mission at the Porsche development center in Weissach, 2022, Photo credit: grossaufnahmen.de
Make-A-Wish: Fasil on a secret mission at the Porsche development center in Weissach

The wishes on the long list are as varied as the personal stories behind them. So it's all the more rewarding that the dreams of more than 30 children, teenagers and young adults have come true in the meantime. For example, for Afeef (13 years old) from Singapore, who spent four days exploring the many attractions on Sentosa Island and solving tasks in the best MrBeast manner. Meanwhile, Jenny (18) from Germany, enjoyed a weekend break with her boyfriend, staying in a beautiful hotel and going on a shopping trip. 

Make-A-Wish: Jenny at the winter shopping weekend, 2022, Photo Credit: grossaufnahmen.de
Make-A-Wish: Jenny at the winter shopping weekend

Aida (11) from Italy now owns a bicycle "that can transport a person in a wheelchair", while Albert (six), from England, met Santa Claus in Lapland. Fourteen-year-old Zachary, from France, now knows what it's like behind the scenes at his favourite zoo, while Yesol, eight, from Hong Kong still looks back fondly on an eventful day at a campsite with his family. Donna (eight) from Spain is also overjoyed: with the help of the specially founded Make-A-Wish Spain School of Models, she now has the necessary tools to one day conquer the catwalks of the world.

Make-A-Wish: Aida with her new bike, 2022, Porsche AG
Make-A-Wish: Aida with her new bike
Make-A-Wish: Albert meets Santa Claus, 2022, Porsche AG
Make-A-Wish: Albert meets Santa Claus
Make-A-Wish: Zachary feeds a hippo, 2022, Porsche AG
Make-A-Wish: Zachary feeds a hippo

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