February 24, 2021

Sounds like the start of a joke, but it's not... This morning at around 11.00 a.m., a 9.3-ton tractor passed the MHH barrier and drove purposefully to the patient garden to be on site in time for a photo session. The occasion was a donation of 250,000 euros from agricultural machinery manufacturer John Deere to the MHH plus support foundation. Due to the pandemic, the company had canceled its participation in this year's AGRITECHNICA and earmarked the trade fair budget for Covid19 research at the MHH. And of course, the symbolic handover of the cheque was not complete without an equally symbolic tractor. Company representatives Tilmann Köller and Ralf Lenge had traveled from Mannheim especially for the event. The tractor came at 50 km/h from Wunstorf. "For us, an appointment like this is actually a nice change from the home office," smiled Köller, Head of Public Communication at John Deere. MHH President Prof. Michael Manns and MHHplus Board Member Dr. Eckhard Schenke also visibly enjoyed the flying visit in the sunny patient garden. The group photo with the giant cheque was quickly snapped. The secret main attraction, however, remained the giant agricultural machine, which not only attracted the attention of strolling patients, but also visibly interested the photographer from the MHH press office. At the end, she was even able to secure a seat in the driver's cab and ride along to the barrier on the way back. Have a good trip!

Read the press release with further details about the donation.