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Run for Ally: A moving memorial to the victims of euthanasia
André Sole-Bergers runs 650 km for Ally to raise funds for an animated film about euthanasia victims.
Run for Ally: A moving memorial to the victims of euthanasia
The end of September 2025 was a very special date for many people who support the rights of people with disabilities. André Sole-Bergers, a committed employee of the Lebenshilfe Kreis Viersen district, visited the Lebenshilfe Brandenburg – Potsdam e.V. in Brandenburg an der Havel. During his stay there, he not only took part in various events, but also gave the starting signal for a very special fundraising run: the “Run for Ally – for the memory”. The event commemorates Ally, a four-year-old girl with Down syndrome who was murdered as part of the Nazi euthanasia program. How stadt-brandenburg.de reports, the fundraiser is an important step in raising funds for a semi-documentary animated film that will document Ally's tragic story.
In total, André Solo-Bergers covered over 650 kilometers, starting from the Waldniel-Hostert memorial in North Rhine-Westphalia to Berlin, with an end point at the former central office of the Nazi euthanasia administration. The run started on August 20, 2025 and ended on September 25, 2025. When he arrived in Essen on August 26, 2025, he was received by the first mayor Julia Jacob. This represented not only a moving moment, but also a call to the public to participate and donate to this important cause. The film itself, Sole-Bergers explained, is intended to serve as an educational tool to raise awareness about inclusion and the history of people with disabilities.
Entry into history
The tragic story of Ally and similar fates gets deep under the skin of many people. Around 70,000 people with disabilities were murdered during the Nazi era, often under the guise of “euthanasia”. This sad fact is not only addressed in memorials, but also in projects such as the planned film.
The animated film is not only a work of history, but also a call to action to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in today's society. “Ally’s fate is close to my heart,” said Sole-Bergers, who has been working with people with disabilities for 24 years. It is crucial that history is not forgotten but serves as a reminder.
Inclusion – an important topic
A closer look at the past is also a sign of change in society. There are around 10 million people with disabilities living in Germany who are still fighting for equality and inclusion. Churches and social institutions have a responsibility to become aware of their history and to actively work to create an inclusive environment. Pioneers such as the Protestant Regional Church of Baden have already taken measures to implement inclusion in order to create barrier-free spaces and opportunities for participation. In the past, how churches deal with people with disabilities often remained opaque, but changes are on the horizon. The Inclusion 2.0 action plan is to be revised in the fall, which is also what we are talking about swr.de informed.
As the “Run for Ally” impressively shows, it is important to promote awareness of the plight of people with disabilities. The goal is not only to finance a film, but also to raise public awareness of the issue of inclusion. Support for the project can be provided through Lebenshilfe Viersen, which works tirelessly for the rights of people with disabilities. Further information is available at lebenshilfe-essen.de available.