Fundraising campaign Serious Request by radio station NPO 3FM has raised just over 11.5 million euros for research into metabolic diseases in children. This is the highest amount since 2014, when a record amount of 12.38 million euros was raised. It became clear on Monday evening that last year’s 7.5 million euros had been surpassed.
For six days, 3FM DJs Wijnand Speelman, Sophie Hijlkema and Barend van Deelen locked themselves in the Glass House in Zwolle to make radio and play request songs for a fee. Through various campaigns, people also raised money for the Metakids foundation, which conducts research into metabolic diseases.
That is a collection of no fewer than 1,900 diseases: from intellectual disabilities, movement disorders and muscle weakness to growth retardation. The diseases can occur in children at different ages, from just after birth to when they are almost adults.
Found a way up
Since 2014, the campaign has yielded a lot less for a number of years, with a low point during the corona crisis. In recent years, yields have been on the rise again. Instead of international topics such as malaria or victims of sexual violence in conflicts, the campaign now focuses on goals closer to home, such as the Forgotten Child Foundation (2022), the ALS Netherlands Foundation (2023) and this year the Metakids Foundation. “In line with the spirit of the times,” said channel manager Menno de Boer on Sunday NRC.
This means the event will find its way up. On Tuesday evening it even suffered from its own success. The stage program was canceled in consultation with the municipality of Zwolle and security services, after the police had to intervene on Monday when a large group of people broke through a fence. Previously, a performance by Roxy Dekker had to be stopped early due to crowds.
Also read
This report at the Glass House in the night from Friday to Saturday