The sponsorship of Patrick Wiencek by ORLEN Deutschland to benefit UKSH is an extraordinary measure in German sport: Since the 2012/13 season, Wiencek’s goals have been counted, and donations have been made annually, with the Elmshorn-based company, which operates nearly 600 star and ORLEN petrol stations across Germany, always rounding up the donation total. With his 814th Bundesliga goal, the 33-year-old has now reached the €100,000 donation mark since the sponsorship kicked off.

“This amount is truly incredible. I would have never imagined back in 2012 that the campaign would bring in so much money for the sick children. And of course, it not only makes me proud that I can benefit THW Kiel with my goals, but that I can also do great things for the kids together with ORLEN. Assisting the paediatric cancer ward, headed by Prof. Dr Gunnar Cario, and helping all the staff and young patients is incredibly close to my heart. And I hope that I can continue to help support their work and the children by scoring lots of goals,” says Patrick Wiencek. 

The donated funds will support the University Hospital’s sports and exercise programme. In the past, for example, it has financed the facilities for the fitness and equipment training rooms. The aim is to provide young patients with a playful escape – filled with mobility and activity – from everyday hospital life. “The sponsorship deal between Patrick and ORLEN Deutschland is unique because of Patrick’s years of scoring goals coupled with OLREN’s financial support. In the past and to this day, it has enabled us to plan for the long term and has made the setup of the sports and exercise programme possible for our young cancer patients,” says Prof. Dr Gunnar Cario (Deputy Director of the Clinic for Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine I Department Head of the Paediatric Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel Campus). A cheque for €11,111 was most recently handed over to the UKSH in October 2022.

Even after reaching the €100,00 donation mark, the player sponsorship will continue, staying true to its donation of €100 for each goal scored. In addition, the sponsorship was extended at the start of the season to include four new THW playersBen Connar Battermann (2 goals scored to date), Luca Schwormstede (2), Henri Pabst (1), and Philip Saggau (goalkeeper). Every goal they score for the professional team is also awarded with a €100 donation. In this way, ORLEN Deutschland, as the official partner of THW’s youth programme, emphasises its commitment to the youth and youth sector of the Kiel Zebras. The aim is to support and promote talented players on their path to professional sport.