A Christmas stollen of a superlative nature was cut at 11 am in the new building of the Alstertal Einkaufszentrum on 7 December.   The 30 meter long stollen is thus the longest stollen in Hamburg. The sales income from the stollen goes directly to the NCL Foundation in Hamburg which is engaged in obtaining research for the rare children's disease neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (abbreviated NCL).  The project was performed together with the ECE centre management of the AEZ.

 

The Springer Bio-Backwerk, whose general manager, Wolfgang W. Springer, has supported the Foundation for years, will bake the stollen. The famous TV and film actress Ann-Cathrin Sudhoff will cut  the stollen (German Christmas cake) and sell it at this location. Additionally, a tombola with attractive prizes will be carried out. The foundation receives assistance for this from Meridian Spa Alstertal, which has offered to allow the tombola stand to be put up in the lobby of the wellness centre.

 

The non-profit NCL Foundation was founded in 2002 by Dr. Frank Husemann, whose son Tim suffers from NCL. In addition to scientific research into the metabolic disease, which until now has only fatal consequences, the focus is on raising awareness and explaining the disease to relevant groups of doctors as well as on public relations.  Until now it the illness, despite realistic therapy prospects, is still incurable notwithstanding the fact that public awareness of the disease is not yet adequate.  On this point the research manager of the NCL Foundation, Dr. Frank Stehr, comments: "In addition to the tangible funds which flow into the foundations projects, the projects always also have the goal of highlighting the existence of NCL and of its terrible consequences. Therefore, we are very grateful to all of those who support the project."

 

Under the motto "We bake with love what nature gives us" the SPRINGER Bio-Backwerk offers in six Hamburg bakeries in total only bio­logically produced bread, cakes and pastries. This traditional company founded in 1889 is completely based on ingredients which are strongly checked ecologically and is consistent in not using baking powder and additives. Wolfgang Springer, himself father to five children, has supported the NCL-Foundation for three years.