Student saves himself after a flat tire - where is the help?

Student saves himself after a flat tire - where is the help?

With his experience on the road between Prenzlau and Pasewalk, a young firefighter in the Uckermark not only provided something to talk about, but also made people think a little. The 18-year-old recently had a breakdown with his racing bike - the rear tire was flat. While he waited patiently for help, numerous tourists and racing cyclists passed by, but they didn't bother to stop and help the young man. “Everyone stared, but no one stopped,” said the high school student indignantly after he had put on a new hose himself and thus saved himself from the awkward situation. Despite his disappointment, he emphasizes that he does not want to draw any negative conclusions from the experience and believes in people's fundamental willingness to help - an attitude that is admirable despite the distractions of modern life.

His situation reflects a widespread phenomenon: many people like to look, but actual action often fails to take place. His story shows that support in emergencies – no matter how big or small – is essential. Maybe this experience will encourage others to go a step further if they find themselves in similar situations?

Volunteer help requested

Especially in times when one's own commitment is required, there are numerous initiatives that rely on volunteer support. The platform I-want-to-help.info offers a valuable contact point to find out about various volunteer positions in Germany. Anyone interested can get involved here regionally or based on needs. Be it by supporting cultural events likeRock im Grünen e.V.or by promoting social participation with “Start with a Friend” – the options are diverse and suitable for every age group. Organizations can also search specifically for support or enter their own projects there.

But what drives people to volunteer? The commitment is not only a voluntary, unpaid activity, but also makes a significant contribution to strengthening the community. Many Germans are already active in over 86,000 sports clubs, while there are more than a million volunteers in the volunteer fire department alone. A large number also work in churches, be it in the church choir or as group leaders, and thus take part in social life. More and more people are also getting involved with food banks to meet the growing need for essential support.

Every year, International Volunteer Day on December 5th reminds us how important this form of volunteering is for our society. So it's never too late to become active yourself and enrich the community with small actions.

Inspired by the story of the young firefighter, readers are welcome to share their own experiences with helpfulness and perhaps also find the motivation to provide help themselves. Because as we have learned, there is something important - for each individual and the entire community.