Tijmen (10) and His Friends Cycle for PlatformCHD

Tijmen (10) and his six friends Kerem, Roan, Xam, Mees, Daan and Tieme have been mountain biking for 126 long laps. In total they have cycled for more than 55 miles and with this, they have collected almost 1,500 euros during the first Tiny Hero Virtual Run/Walk/Bike. An incredible action!

“Before we started, all of us thought we could perhaps collect 100 euros in total”, Tijmen said. “However, the fact that we gathered so much more is great to see.”

Tijmen himself was born with CDH. He has had several operations, and luckily everything is fine with him now. To collect money for research to CDH and to support the foundation, Tijmen participated with his friends cycling through the Rijswijkse forests, during the Tiny Hero Virtual Run/Walk/Bike on Saturday, April 24th.

“I made a video to ask if people would like to sponsor me and sent it to friends and family via WhatsApp,” says Tijmen. All his friends immediately enjoyed participating. Tieme: "I told everyone I asked to sponsor that I participated because it is important to a friend of mine."

The route through the Rijswijk forests was mapped out and had all the ingredients of a beautiful mountain bike course. Sharp turns, bumpy roads, exciting descents and narrow forest paths. With the help of Tijmen's parents and his friends, everything went well and safely. “It was really cool,” says Kerem. Xam: "I only had a city bike and rented a mountain bike to participate." Tijmen's mother, Esther, said "Xam turned out to be a natural.”

Together with his mother, Tijmen told his class about all about his disease - CDH. When he and his friends told them about the mountain bike event, his classmates were speechless. “They really thought it was a great action, and the teacher was very proud.”

This was not the first time the group of friends did something for a good cause. Last year they took part in the Lichtjestocht of the Sophia Children's Hospital. During this event the children took a walk with homemade lanterns to show that they think about the children that have to spend December holidays in the hospital. “We walked with the whole class and even won a prize,” says Tieme. And Esther, said "This year, there was even a magician that came to the school."

They do not have to think long about whether the boys will be willing to participate in a sponsor campaign of PlatformCHD again next year. In fact, they all have ideas for that. Swimming, archery, ice skating, magnet fishing, football, snowboarding, skiing. All sorts of ideas pass by.

“And maybe we can design our own shirts for next year, each with his own name on it,” says Xam. Mees, laughing: "And could the medal we receive be made of real gold the next time?"

Frank Meijer, chairman of PlatformCHD, unfortunately cannot promise that. However, he is moved by the boys' action. “The fact that you are working with CDH in such a beautiful way has really touched me,” Frank tells Tijmen and his friends. “I am very proud of you. Thank you very much for your efforts and the proceeds. I am already looking forward to you participating again next year.”