Bert is the most famous greengrocer in Akersloot. Not only because he is the only one, but also because he welcomes people with a broad smile and wears short sleeves all year round. Moreover, he is also a locally known columnist.
For several years now, he has been sharing short stories on Facebook about his experiences behind the vegetable stall, his youth in Beverwijk, but also about personal themes. One of those topics is very serious: his wife has breast cancer. “Sometimes something is wrong and you have to open the door,” he writes in a candid story. One of his most loyal readers, Frits, responds: “Beautifully written. Something has also knocked on my door: ALS.”
Bundling Bertje
It is the beginning of Bundelen Bertje, which is now in its third edition. What was originally intended as a single copy for Frits grew into a much larger project at the insistence of friend Ben Davidson. The books are now flying over the counter like hot cakes; all proceeds go towards ALS research.