Cyclists collect donations for premature baby Lotta: Here's how you can help!

Cyclists collect donations for premature baby Lotta: Here's how you can help!

On June 24, 2025 it's that time again - the Ginkgo cycling tour starts in the region to collect donations for a good cause. Around 100 cyclists set off in July to support the valuable work of the Bunte Kreis, an association that supports families with seriously ill children and premature babies. The tour begins on July 3rd at various stops and promises not only a sporting challenge, but also a big heart for those who need it most.

Behind this initiative is the moving story of Alexandra Zoller and her daughter Lotta. She was born in September 2023 after a pregnancy of just 26 weeks and weighed only 730 grams at birth. Lotta, a truly premature baby, had to struggle with health challenges early on, including a serious intestinal infection that required an operation in Stuttgart.

Before Lotta's birth, the Zoller family spent eight long weeks in the hospital in Mutlangen. There, Silvia Schmidt-Motschenbacher from the Buntkreis also approached them to offer support. “The direct contact with the doctors was worth its weight in gold for us,” remembers Alexandra Zoller. The Colorful Circle not only helped the family with aftercare, but also with appointments, reviewing doctor's letters and finding therapists. It is precisely this individual support, based on the needs of the families, that is the heart of the Colorful Circle.

Support for affected families

The organization consists of a competent team of aftercare nurses, psychologists and social educators who offer a wide range of services. This includes advice on nutrition, medication and support in emergency situations. The goal is to shorten or even eliminate hospital stays so that families can more quickly create a safe environment for their children at home. The families receive support not only from the Bunte Kreis team, but also through donations, as the majority of further assistance is financed in this way. Care after an inpatient stay is a standard service provided by statutory health insurance companies, but additional help often requires additional donations.
klinikum-fuerth.de shows which offers are available to affected parents.

The Association for Premature Babies

But it's not just the local commitment of the Bunte Kreis that is important. At the national level, the immense number of 64,500 premature babies born in Germany every year need support. Of these 10,000 premature babies, who initially weigh less than 1,500 grams, many fall through the cracks when it comes to the information and help needed for healthy development. The association at fruehborne.de offers comprehensive materials, hotlines and self-help initiatives to provide reliable support for parents. Events and training ensure that affected families and professionals are always well informed.

Initiatives like the Ginkgo cycling tour draw attention to how important it is to stick together and support each other. The Zoller family can tell you a thing or two about it. For them, the Colorful Circle was not only a helping hand in difficult times, but also an anchor in the turbulent world of parenting premature babies. With this in mind, let's get on the bike and help where we can!