01.02.07 – Nikolai Valuev, the tallest and heaviest champion of all time, will sponsor the Preemie Project of German charity organisation Deutsche Kinderhilfe Direkt. The WBA heavyweight champion will be unveiled as a partner at their New Year´s reception tonight. He hopes to sensitise the public to the work of the Deutsche Kinderhilfe. “This is really a case where the strongest helps the weakest,” said the Russian Giant..
“It would be great if my help could prompt other people to support this important project. If I can add my part, I would be very happy.”
On Thursday morning, Valuev visited the neonatology department of the Charité Hospital in Berlin. The champion, father of a five-year-old son, could not hide his excitement when professor Roland Wauer guided him through the station with the incubators. “The support of an high-profile athlete such as Nikolai Valuev is very important for us,” said Wauer. “Our preemies are very weak – not just physically but also in society. If a popular athlete helps support our projects, we can bring those problems to the attention of many people.”
Valuev, whose wife is expecting her second child next month, was seemingly touched after the tour. “It´s like a miracle,” he said. “These babies would not be able to survive without medical support. But with the help of the doctors they can develop and enjoy a normal life later on. That´s great. As a father of a five-year-old son, I can really understand the sorrows of the parents. I am extremely happy to have the chance to support the Preemie Project of the Deutsche Kinderhilfe Direkt.”
The premature infant project is one of the key activities of the Deutsche Kinderhilfe Direkt. Experienced social pedagogues provide parents with valuable support on the neonatology stations in Berlin, Munich, Heidelberg, Leipzig and Hamburg, helping them to put confidence in their parenthood. They are also prepared for the after-care which will help to cure potential problems.