All of this is associated with financial burdens that affected families are often unable to bear. Cancer research as such also requires funding in order to better identify the causes of the disease and its progression and to find cures and treatment methods. State funds are not sufficient for this.
To generate funds, the Germany-wide Tour of Hope was launched in 1983, which has developed into the largest privately organized charity bike tour and has raised over 40 million DM or euros with this activity to date. In 1996, the idea for the "VOR-TOUR" was born in Rhineland-Palatinate. In the run-up to the tour, supporters and fundraisers are sought who collect donations in a variety of ways. Whether companies, private individuals, clubs or schools. Everyone can help. There are no limits to the commitment and ingenuity of the helpers. On Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 11:30 a.m., the VOR-TOUR of Hope will make a stage stop at Schleiferplatz in Idar. Accompanied by an appealing entertainment program, the donations collected in the Birkenfeld district will then be officially handed over while the 120 cyclists, some of them well-known, who form the tour train, fortify themselves. The catering is organized by Steffi von Pock (Idarer Brauhaus) and Thomas Kreis (Offene Flamme) as well as Martin Monz. The Schwollener Sprudel company has also pledged its support. Other supporters and organizers include the Idar-Oberstein business development agency (Carolin Pehlke), WfG Birkenfeld (Christina Biehl and Chiara Mele), the Birkenfeld district administration (Karsten Schultheiss) and Kreissparkasse Birkenfeld (Celine Roes and Leonhard Stibitz). The head of the team is Johnny Klein, the so-called caretaker for the greater Trier, Eifel, Mosel, Hunsrück and Saar region. Klein will present the tour and the opportunities for generating donations to those present at the sports awards ceremony of the city's sports clubs.
- All interested parties who are not attending the award ceremony anyway are cordially invited to attend the event on April 5 from 5.30 p.m. at the Idar-Oberstein exhibition center. Donation account: DE29 5855 0130 0001 1203 02, VOR-TOUR DER HOFFNUNG e.V., reason for payment: Nationalparklandkreis Birkenfeld. Further information can be found at www.vortour-der-hoffnung.de.