17/12/2016
NEWS STORY
"Keep fighting" and "Never give up" are the key messages of a non-profit initiative inspired by Michael Schumacher.
Keep Fighting will seek to channel the positive energy received by the seven times world champion and his family as a force for good in the world.
The Keep Fighting Initiative, which is supposed to be another sign of respect and gratitude to Michael's fans, is initiated and backed by the Schumacher family.
"We would like to encourage others to never give up," said Corinna Schumacher."
Keep Fighting is celebrating the attitudes of "Keep Fighting" and "Never Give Up" which are directly inspired by Michael Schumacher. The initiative plans to harness through its own projects, the power of a Keep Fighting community which is inspired by those attitudes.
Keep Fighting is managed by Michael Schumacher's office (The MS Office) and #TeamMichael on behalf of the Schumacher family.
"This is a first step of a movement which we hope can do good in the future," said Sabine Kehm, managing director The MS Office. "The intention of the Keep Fighting Initiative is to spread the belief that giving up is not an option, a message that is valid not only in motor racing. In this way we hope to turn a terrible event, which affects the whole Schumacher family, into something positive.
"We wanted to send a sign of encouragement at a time where people are open to it," she continued. "The Keep Fighting Initiative is about courage, hope and belief in your own confidence. It is about giving back positive energy that the Schumacher family has received by so many wonderful people in the whole world. It is about a spirit which we wanted to be noticed, and I am happy to admit we wanted to take advantage of the attention which we expected in these days, given we believe it is for a good cause."
Asked why the public is being advised of such an initisative but not informed about Schumacher's health, she said: "Michael's health is not a public issue, and so we will continue to make no comment in that regard.
"This is also because we have to protect his intimate sphere. Legally seen and in the longer term, every statement related to his health would diminish the extent of his intimate sphere. We are aware that this may be difficult for some people to understand but we do this with full commitment to Michael's guidelines and can only thank people for their understanding."
Asked about those who feel thay have a right to know about the German's condition, she replied: "Michael has always been very protective of his privacy, even during the most successful times of his career. He has always made sure there is a clear and distinct line between his public persona and his private one.
"We are now celebrating the loyalty of the fans by a range of initiatives, including exhibitions, social media and now Keep Fighting. Most of the fans have expressed their appreciation and have embraced these initiatives."
"This is only a very first step," she concluded, "we hope Keep Fighting can be a real force for good in the future. At this stage, I can only confirm we are happy try to spread the positive energy of Michael's fans and to encourage people to keep fighting and to never give up."
The news comes almost three years after Schumacher's horrific skiing accident.