Wings for Life

At Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, we develop technology solutions that enable manufacturers to sense, think and act to improve quality and productivity. Wings for Life funds world-class research and clinical trials focused on the spinal cord – the messaging system between the brain and the body – which allows all of us to sense, think and act every day.

The driving forces behind Wings for Life are two-time motocross world champion Heinz Kinigadner and Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who set up the not-for-profit organisation in 2004 following an accident which left Kinigadner’s son tetraplegic. Realising that spinal cord research was underfunded, the pair committed to an ambitious mission: to make spinal cord injury curable.

The charity’s flagship event is the Wings for Life World Run, a unique annual race taking place globally at multiple locations simultaneously. Known as ‘the race where the finish line catches you’, all the locations start at the same time, whether it’s day or night, and half an hour later the ‘Catcher Cars’ set off in pursuit. These mobile finish lines mean that rather than a set distance, competitors run as far as they individually can. With 100% of the World Run entrance fee going directly to Wings for Life, the race contributes hugely to the charity’s funding.

“We first became aware of Wings for Life through our partnership with Red Bull Racing,” says Anne Willimann, Director of Global Marketing Communications at Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence. “We have supported charities at a local level before but for an international company like ours, it’s a pleasure to get behind a cause like this globally. Our teams are spread across five continents and the World Run was an opportunity to for them to come together and do something amazing for charity.”