At Hug Engineering, we pride ourselves on pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability, working towards cleaner air and a better tomorrow. But sometimes, our projects lead to something even more meaningful—stories that touch lives and inspire others. One such story began with an old icebreaker and blossomed into a beautiful initiative that brings joy to children in need.

From Icebreaker to Children's Book

In 2020, Hug Deutschland was tasked with the conversion of an old icebreaker, giving it a modern exhaust gas purification system. This project, which involved cutting-edge technology, was more than just a technical challenge. For Thomas Ebeling, one of our dedicated colleagues, it became a source of inspiration that led him to create something truly special.

As Thomas learned more about the icebreaker’s history, he decided to share the adventure in a way that would captivate young hearts. He began writing a children's book about Karl, the little icebreaker. The story follows Karl as he embarks on thrilling Arctic adventures, teaching children about resilience, teamwork, and the beauty of exploration. ❄️📖✨

A Tradition of Giving Back

But Thomas didn’t stop there. His creativity and compassion sparked something much bigger—an annual fundraising campaign to support the Kinderhospiz of the Pfeiffersche Foundation in Magdeburg. Every year, through the support of Hug Engineering colleagues, friends, family, and neighbors, Thomas raises funds to bring joy to children and families facing difficult times. This initiative has now become a much-loved tradition, one that brings the Hug Engineering team together in a meaningful way.

A Successful Campaign

This year’s campaign was an incredible success, raising a total of 2,700 € for the children’s hospice. The generosity of Hug colleagues, as well as donations from friends and family, helped make this year’s donation campaign one to remember. The funds will go directly to supporting the children and their families at the hospice, providing them with much-needed care and comfort during difficult times.

Looking to the Future

The story of Karl, the small icebreaker, is far from over. As the book continues to take shape and inspire, we look forward to seeing the next chapter of this journey unfold. We hope that one day, little Karl will be fully restored and set sail on a long adventure to the Arctic, continuing to inspire and bring joy to the children in the hospice. The next part of the story, filled with new adventures and heartwarming initiatives, is already in the making.

We are proud to be part of a company where innovation meets compassion, where our work goes beyond technology and creates lasting positive change in the world.

Thank You

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the campaign this year—your generosity is making a real difference. Together, we can continue to make the world a better place, one story and one donation at a time.

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