Anniversary motorcycle BMW 1200 R "40 Years of Berlin" auctioned as a fundraiser for the children's rights organisation Save the Children Deutschland e.V.

Munich/Berlin. With the anniversary motorcycle “40 Years of Berlin" based on the BMW roadster R 1200 R, BMW Motorrad not only celebrated 40 years of production at its plant in Berlin-Spandau in 2009. By auctioning the exclusive motorcycle on eBay in November 2009 BMW Motorrad at the same time supported the children's rights organisation Save the Children Deutschland e.V. 

The auction of the R 1200 R “40 Years of Berlin” finally raised a sum of 14,951 euros. The proud new owner is Stefan Thiel (53) from the Oldenburger Münsterland was already – with the exception of one season – rider of BMW motorcycles. 

The 80 kW (109 bhp) R 1200 R “40 Years of Berlin”, upgraded with numerous special fittings such as a chrome exhaust system, ABS, white direction indicators heated grips, on-board computer, low-level comfort seat and sports windshield and finished in Mojave brown, was handed over on January 29th 2010 by the Head of the BMW Motorrad Berlin Plant, Hermann Bohrer. “I`m thrilled about my new motorcycle. And I´m proud to help children here in Berlin with the proceeds”, Mr. Thiel said.

In turn, Thomas Heilmann, Board Member of Save the Children Deutschland e.V., received a cheque with the entire proceeding of the auction: „I`m glad for Mr. Thiel, but first of all for the children we can help with our project. Thank you very much indeed!" 

Save the Children (www.savethechildren.de) was founded in 1919 and is now the largest independent children’s rights organisation in the world, operating in more than 120 countries. The main focus of the organisation’s work is in the areas of schools and education, protection from exploitation and violence, and heath and survival - especially in the wake of disasters.

The proceeds from the motorcycle auction will go towards the project “Mitwirkung in Sicht” being run by BildungsCent e.V. and supported by Save the Children. Young academics trained in education will go into schools as coaches and work with school students, teachers and parents on finding ways of solving conflicts without resorting to violence. The project aims to strengthen children’s rights by encouraging proactive involvement at an early age, as well as promoting a positive climate in schools.

The BMW Group

The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 24 production facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

The BMW Group achieved a global sales volume of approximately 1.29 million automobiles and over 87,000 motorcycles for the 2009 financial year. Revenues for 2009 totalled euro 50.68 billion. At 31 December 2009, the company employed a global workforce of approximately 96,000 associates.

The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last five years.