Volunteer work honored: DLRG Heringen celebrates heroic rescuers!

Volunteer work honored: DLRG Heringen celebrates heroic rescuers!

September 18, 2025 was the “open day” of the DLRG local group Heringen e. V. a very special occasion to honor the voluntary commitment of many people. After the opening of the event, which was characterized by emotional moments and appreciation, the guests had the opportunity to get to know the work of the DLRG better. The personalities present included Jens Huntsche, vice president of the DLRG Hesse regional association, and Jacqueline Bochert, the district association chairwoman of DLRG Hersfeld-Rotenburg. Dirk Noll, the 1st district councilor on behalf of District Administrator Warnecke, and the mayor of the city of Heringen, Daniel Iliev, were also on site.

A highlight of the day was the awarding of DLRG merit badges, which were awarded to numerous members. Franziska Dubberke, Heike Lingmann and Felix Grob received bronze, while Dominik Hofmann and Marco Klemenz received the silver award. Particularly outstanding achievements were honored with gold; Manuela Kreuzer, the first chairwoman of the DLRG OG Heringen, and Christian Wilker, deputy head of training in the local group, were the proud recipients of this award. Herbert Hildebrand and Christian Wilker also received the letter of honor from the state of Hesse.

Financial support and appreciation for the work of the DLRG

Mayor Iliev took the opportunity to hand over a grant of 3,200 euros to the DLRG local group. This donation will help the association continue its important work in the area of ​​water rescue. The DLRG, founded in Leipzig in 1913, has always pursued the goal of preventing drowning deaths through comprehensive swimming training and educational measures. Today, the DLRG, with around 1.8 million members, is still one of the largest water rescue organizations in the world and often advocates for water safety.

The main tasks of the DLRG include swimming training for all age groups, the water rescue service on various bodies of water and educational measures. This responsibility is even more important as the number of drowning accidents has increased in recent years. A recent report shows that over 1,400 rescues took place by DLRG responders in 2024 and at least 411 people drowned, representing a worrying increase. It is also shocking that, according to a Forsa survey, 20% of primary school children cannot swim.

In addition, the DLRG highlights the challenges that have arisen from the decline in swimming pools and the effects of the corona pandemic. These factors have significantly reduced access to swimming education. The DLRG has also launched great initiatives to improve this situation, including online fundraising, which is increasingly becoming an important financial pillar.

Commitment and future prospects of the DLRG

The DLRG tries to generate sustainable funds through various measures, including online campaigns and high-quality short films to support its projects. The DLRG Foundation for Water Safety, which was founded in 2007, also plays a central role in the association's future planning. This foundation pursues the goal of ensuring long-term financial stability for the statutory tasks of the DLRG. In addition, the responsible handling of donations is very important and is regularly reviewed by external committees.

Through these diverse commitments and support, the DLRG is not only active in the present, but also lays the foundation for a safe and water-conscious future. The achievements of the members who were honored at the “Open Day” show how valuable their commitment to the community is. In the spirit of water rescue, the DLRG remains a reliable partner to ensure safety on the water for everyone.