Back
8.08.2023Social Commitment

Charity match against Real Sociedad raises €150,000 for a good cause

The charity match between Real Sociedad and Bayer 04 in San Sebastian (0-1) raised a donation of €150,000 including the shirt auction. In addition to gate receipts, the match worn shirts from the charity match were auctioned last week in aid of the Fundación Columbus. The auction ended on Saturday 5 August.
crop_20230729_JS_RSCB04_0480.jpg

 

The Werkself players wore the new home shirt for the 2023/24 season with the cross on the chest for the first time in the match at the Spanish Champions League club. A badge marking the charity match on the front of the shirt was another highlight. The shirt auction raised €16,739. The top seller at the auction was the shirt worn by Florian Wirtz with a value of over €4,000.

The money raised will be used to carry out the first clinical study in Europe on the treatment of SPG50. Children from Spain and Germany will take part in this clinical study, which will build on a study previously carried out in the USA. Javier Garcia, president of the Columbus Foundation, said: "The Columbus Foundation thanks Bayer 04 for their great support. This enables us to start the second clinical study at the beginning of next year. The families of the children affected have great hopes in the study for the treatment of this previously incurable disease."

The Fundación Columbus:

The Columbus Children’s Foundation has the mission of raising funds for research into rare diseases and to find treatments for these through gene therapy. The friendly against the Champions League team from La Liga is specifically part of the battle against spastic paraplegia 50 (SPG 50). This rare neuromuscular disease affects a very limited number of children with symptoms including developmental delay, mental incapacity and changes to or absence of speech.

Related News

Kurzpässe vor #B04SVW
Bundesliga - 24.01.2026

Matchday News #B04SVW: ‘!Never Again’ remembrance matchday and Schick's 30th birthday

This afternoon, Saturday 24 January (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Bayer 04 host SV Werder Bremen, who are winless in their last seven league games. Nevertheless, in their last outing, a 3-3 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, where they conceded a late equaliser, the Green and Whites did show their team spirit. The Werkself, led by birthday boy Patrik Schick, will be looking to counter this and secure their first three points of the new year on this ‘!Never Again’ remembrance matchday to commemorate the victims of National Socialism. Read on for the latest information in today's matchday news.

Show more
Birthday Schick Free Jersey Print
Fans - 24.01.2026

For Schick's milestone birthday: free print and jersey giveaway

Happy birthday, Patrik Schick! On his special day, it's not just the Czech striker who can look forward to lots of presents and hopefully many more goals – Bayer 04 fans can also get their hands on a free number 14 print when they buy a Werkself jersey today, January 24! In addition, a match-worn jersey belonging to the now 30-year-old will be raffled off among all purchasers next week.

Show more
Women win despite being outnumbered | 15th matchday
Werkself-TV - 23.01.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 2-1 win at Union Berlin

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 win at 1. FC Union Berlin on the 15th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
Jubel der Werkself
Women - 23.01.2026

Bayer 04 Women reduced to ten in 2-1 win at Union Berlin

Despite a severely depleted squad and being a player down, the Bayer 04 Women made a winning start to their 2026 campaign. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 2-1 at newly promoted FC Union Berlin on Friday night thanks to a last-minute goal. Vanessa Fudalla scored from a direct free-kick (78') and Kristin Kögel (90+2’) in stoppage time for the Werkself, who were reduced to ten players on 68 minutes, on an atmospheric stage at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. As a result, the Black and Reds are now fifth in the table for at least one night at the start of matchday 15.

Show more
Die PK vor dem Bundesliga-Heimspiel gegen den SV Werder Bremen | 19. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 23.01.2026

Hjulmand ahead of #B04SVW: ‘Get into the game better than last time’

The Werkself are looking for the first win of the new calendar year: Ahead of the sold-out Bundesliga home match against SV Werder Bremen on Saturday, 24 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET), head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about taking chances, possible winter transfers and a “Lion" returning to the Leverkusen matchday squad.

Show more