Spreading the "Wings for Life"

As part of Red Bull’s project Faces for Charity, fans had the opportunity to upload a photo and to secure their place on an RB3 for the Grand Prix in Silverstone on July 8 – and also to contribute money to the charity Wings for Life, whose goal is to find a cure for spinal cord injuries.

When Heinz Kinigadner’s son was paralyzed in an accident in 2003, the two-time World motocross Champion set out on a mission: to find a cure for an injury that all motorcycle racers dread. After enlisting the help of his friend Dietrich Mateschitz, “Kini” founded the charity with this single-minded aim. “Our foundation is focused on spinal-cord injuries only,” the head of KTM’s racing activities said. “We don’t work on items that make life for injured people easier, because we want to be completely focused on a cure. This is what I’m looking for, and I believe – 100 percent – that it’s possible.”

The secret is in the cells

Wings for Life concentrates on four main activities: international cutting-edge research, clinical studies and trials, communication and prevention. The foundation employs neuroscientists and doctors who are currently researching cells and stem cells to try and find a way to re-stimulate movement in the spinal cord. “Five years ago,” said Kini, “nobody knew how to work with cells, but now almost every small university is doing such projects. This gives us a lot of hope that somebody will make the lucky break and find the right way.”

That's what friends are for

Over the last three years Red Bull has provided continued support to Wings for Life with four specific aims: raising global awareness for the charity, establishing understanding for the targets and work of Wings for Life, ensuring the focus is on the credibility of the project, and assisting with fund raising for the charity. Friends of Wings for Life include Mike Mangold, Gerhard Berger, and Felix Baumgartner, who are official ambassadors and supporters of the foundation.