Ö3 community donates 5,239,214 euros for families in need: The Ö3 Christmas miracle 2023 from Bad Ischl came true

2023-12-24 11:09:04

Vienna (OTS) – More than 5.2 million euros for families in need in Austria – this is the impressive donation result of the Ö3 Christmas Miracle 2023. Robert Kratky, Gabi Hiller and Andi Knoll spent 120 hours non-stop from the Ö3 wish hut in the bathroom Ischler Kurpark and fulfilled the music wishes of the Ö3 community in return for a donation to the “Light in the Dark Emergency Aid Fund”. The final donation result was announced today at 10 a.m.: The Ö3 Christmas miracle 2023 came true.

Ö3 broadcaster boss Michael Pauser: “The Ö3 community is simply wonderful. And year after year at the Ö3 Christmas Miracle, she shows how great she is for each other when help is needed. Even in this economically challenging year for many, the donation result is overwhelming. We are proud and humbled that we were able to broadcast so much joy, interpersonal relationships, a sense of community and generosity on Ö3 during these 120 hours.”

Highlights of the Ö3 Christmas miracle 2023
The Bad Ischl spa park has given the Ö3 Christmas miracle 2023 a special setting and a wonderful show stage. The Ö3 Christmas miracle opened on Tuesday, December 19th at 10 a.m. with “Hallelujah” by Pentatonix. “Merry Christmas” by Ed Sheeran and Elton John was the most requested song of the Christmas miracle of 2023 and the last wished hit before the tally was taken at 10 a.m. today.

The Ö3 presenters Robert Kratky, Gabi Hiller and Andi Knoll moderated for 120 hours in the glass studio, welcomed countless guests and ensured that, together with the Ö3 community, the whole country moved a little closer together. The special guests provided unforgettable live music and unique radio moments: Parov Stelar (with the Bürgerkapelle Bad Ischl), Christina Stürmer, Seiler and Speer, Melissa Naschenweng, Folkshilfe, Thorsteinn Einarsson, NESS, Chris Steger, Anna-Sophie, All respect, Matakustix, AVEC, Granada, King & Potter, Möwe, Holza, Toby Romeo and Pazoo. They all performed live in the Ö3-Wunschhütte and caused goosebumps and a party atmosphere at the Ö3 Christmas Miracle 2023. At the now traditional “Ö3 Advent Singing” – this year with Julian le Play & Band, Ina Regen, OSKA and Cesár Sampson – the Ö3 community’s favorite Christmas hits were heard live for two hours.

In general, there was a lot going on in the Ö3-Wunschhütte: Federal Minister Karoline Edtstadler, Upper Austria’s Governor Thomas Stelzer, cabaret artist Josef Hader, ex-ski racing professional Nici Schmidhofer, comedian Gernot Kulis, actress Verena Altenberger, ex-ski jumper Andi Goldberger, soccer player Sarah Zadrazil, the comedy -Duo Dr.Bohl and many more visited the Ö3 Christmas miracle. And the many thousands of people who visited the Ö3 studio in the Bad Ischl spa park over the 120 hours created a very special atmosphere.

Under the motto “Do something for the Ö3 Christmas miracle”, the Ö3 community once again supported the Ö3 Christmas miracle in a creative way this year and implemented many ideas to collect donations – alone, together with friends or work colleagues, in the neighborhood or in the club. This meant that special signs of cohesion could be set throughout the country.

Interim balance sheet Ö3 lucky bag: Donated cell phones have brought in 320,000 euros so far
Ö3 broadcaster boss Michael Pauser also announced today an initial interim balance of the Ö3 lucky bag 2023: 320,000 euros have been raised so far for families in need in Austria. This year, for the 19th time, Hitradio Ö3 called on all of Austria to dispose of old cell phones in an environmentally friendly manner and thus make cashless donations to families in need in Austria. The Ö3 lucky bag has been laying the foundation for reliable help for many years.

Hitradio Ö3 would like to thank all listeners for a donation (Ö3 Christmas miracle and Ö3 miracle bag) of more than 5.5 million euros for families in need and wishes everyone a merry Christmas!

All stories, interviews and videos from the Ö3 Christmas miracle 2023 can be found on the Ö3 homepage: https://oe3.orf.at/oe3weihnachtswunder/. Photos of the highlights for download: