This June, the hashtag “#RacingForCharity” will once again adorn the inner fenders of the three 963 racers fielded by the Porsche Penske Motorsport works team. For the highlight of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season, Porsche will again field an additional hybrid race car in the top Hypercar class. Last year, the winning car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans turned only 311 laps due to heavy rainfall; in 2023, 342 laps were completed.
Porsche has always viewed itself as an integral part of society and embraces its responsibilities accordingly – with a strong focus on people. The sports car manufacturer is involved in numerous charitable initiatives, focussing on projects in key areas such as sports, culture, the environment, social issues, science, and education. In 2024 alone, the company supported more than 110 projects worldwide. As part of its ongoing commitment, Porsche is once again taking part in “Racing for Charity” at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In the past two years, the company has topped up the donations generated at Le Mans to €911,000. In recognition of this effort, the Stuttgart-based manufacturer received an award in 2023 from the Le Mans organiser ACO.
Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport: “We’re very proud of our three years of ‘Racing for Charity’. If our sport can help disadvantaged or even sick people, especially children, we don’t hesitate for a moment. This has always been part of Porsche’s ethos. The donation amount grows with every lap at Le Mans. That’s a very special incentive for us. With donations amassing over €1.8 million in the last two years, this initiative is one of the most important projects of its kind at Porsche.”
The association Kinderherzen retten e.V. transports children and young people with congenital heart disease from less developed countries to Germany for vital operations at the Freiburg University Hospital. “We’re equal parts thrilled and grateful that Kinderherzen retten e.V. is part of ‘Racing for Charity’ for a third consecutive year,” says a delighted Professor Friedhelm Beyersdorf, founder of the association.
“The donations we’ve received from Porsche since 2023 alone have enabled us to give 28 children with heart disease from less developed countries a chance at a normal life. Among them is Sayed, a seven-year-old boy from Afghanistan, whose cardiac abnormality was discovered because he was constantly tired and weak. His heart surgery went as planned and Sayed made a quick recovery in the ward.”
Interplast Germany e.V.
Interplast Germany e.V. has been active for 45 years, providing medical aid in developing countries and crisis regions. The association offers plastic surgery on-site for patients with congenital malformations, soft tissue defects following tumour removal, complex injuries and burns. During these missions, up to 100 children can receive life-changing operations.
“We would like to sincerely thank Porsche for selecting us for the third time as a recipient for ‘Racing for Charity’. Thanks to their generous support, we have been able to help many children across Africa, Asia and South America over the past two years,” says Professor Jürgen Dolderer, member of the Executive Board of Interplast Germany e.V. “I’m particularly moved that our work enables those affected to return to a normal life – like four-year-old Rhonda from Tanzania, who had to withdraw from kindergarten due to a rapidly growing tumour. We successfully removed the tumour, and now she’s eagerly awaiting her first day of school.”
This is the 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans has been held on a unique combination of permanent track and public roads since 1923. The race is widely regarded as the most challenging test in endurance motorsport. The annual event in north-west France holds special significance for Porsche. With 19 overall victories and 111 class wins, the sports car manufacturer from Stuttgart is by far the most successful competitor in the classic event’s 101-year history. In conjunction with the Indianapolis 500 and the Formula 1 race in Monaco, the 24 Hours of Le Mans forms the so-called ‘Triple Crown’ of motorsport.
