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Charity concert enables generous donation for St Elisabeth Hospice Hohenlohe
A record for a good cause: with proceeds totalling more than 12,000 euros, this year´s traditional charity concert organised by the Albert Berner Foundation, Sparkasse Hohenlohekreis and the Rotary Club Künzelsau-Öhringen raised more money than ever before. For the second time, the entire amount will go towards the renovation and conversion of a building on Rösleinsberg in Künzelsau into an inpatient hospice with eight places. The Albert Berner Foundation topped up the donation from its own funds to a further 15,000 euros. The symbolic cheque has now been handed over to the BBT Group (Barmherzige Brüder Trier), the majority shareholder of Hohenloher Hospital gGmbH, which is responsible for the planning and operation of the hospice.
"I know from personal experience how incredibly important it is to offer seriously ill people and their relatives or close friends a place where they can receive professionalsupport in the last phase of their lives and say goodbye to each other with dignity," says Ursula Berner, Chairwoman of the Albert Berner Foundation's Board of Trustees. "The establishment of a hospice centre in our home town has long been a matter close to my heart. We will therefore continue to support the St Elisabeth project with the foundation in the future and will soon be making another large donation of 100,000 euros available to finance the furnishings and make the interior as friendly, pleasant and bright as possible. Because my great wish is that we can bring the days to life through our commitment."
Official inauguration planned for the end of 2024
Regional Manager of the BBT Group Thomas Wigant and Managing Director of St Elisabeth Hospice thanked everyone involved. "This is the second time in a row that we have received the donation as proceeds from this wonderful charity concert. We would like to thank the Albert Berner Foundation, Sparkasse Hohenlohekreis and the Rotary Club Künzelsau-Öhringen for their strong commitment and generous donation in favour of the hospice. It is with great gratitude that we realise that many citizens support the project and are personally committed to the hospice. I would particularly like to thank the initiator, Mrs Ursula Berner, and Mrs Christiane Sigloch, who is actively involved as chairwoman of our support association. We are delighted that the hospice has already found a home and strong support in the town of Künzelsau and the Hohenlohe district."
Silke Feinauer, future nursing manager of the St Elisabeth Hospice, presented the project on the evening of the concert. She added: "I am overwhelmed by the great willingness of people to support our hospice and to make it possible for people to die with dignity and professional care. Many thanks to all donors, and especially to Mrs Berner for her initiative and personal commitment."
The remodelling of the building at Rösleinsberg 29 in Künzelsau began in mid-October with a symbolic "hammer blow". Demolition work is currently being carried out and interior walls are being dismantled. "Not much can be seen from the outside yet, but work is already underway inside," says Thomas Wigant. "We hope to be able to invite all interested parties to the official inauguration at the end of 2024."
Popular series of events
The Albert Berner Foundation, Sparkasse Hohenlohekreis and the Rotary Club Künzelsau-Öhringen have been organising their joint charity concert for more than two decades. The proceeds from the charity concerts are always donated in full to worthy projects, institutions, clubs or associations in the region. Different artists are used. With almost 200 visitors, the most recent edition with the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn and the exceptional pianist Sophie Pacini was once again a great success.