With a large backpack with, among other things, five underpants, a pair of extra running shoes and a laptop, Frank Boerebach (65) walks throughout the Netherlands in 175 days. On the one hand to feel the freedom and discover the Netherlands, on the other to raise money for people suffering from cancer. On Wednesday, March 13, he walked through Zoetermeer. Indebuurt walked a bit.

Frank has been dealing with cancer within his family from an early age. His father died of cancer, his three brothers and his wife too. With his passion for walking, he wants to give something positive back for cancer patients and their relatives.

Bed, bath and bread

Frank decided to walk through the Netherlands and started his hiking adventure from his hometown Hoek. With the flag of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, the name of his website All of the Netherlands And a large QR code for donations on his backpack, he started his walk on February 21.

The night before his visit to Zoetermeer, he slept in a camper in Waddinxveen. “Every day I spend the night and eat with unknown people who offer me a place to sleep. It is always a surprise where I spend the night. One time in a terraced house of a large family or a student room, the other time in a boat. ”

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The backpack with the flag of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, Website and QR code. Photo: Indebuurt Zoetermeer

Cheap trip

Along the way Frank pauses in catering establishments, town halls or sports facilities. For a toilet visit, a sandwich or a cup of coffee. “I never have to pay during my breaks as soon as people know that I walk for a good cause. They see my backpack and often give me something to eat for the road. So far I have not spent a cent. ”

Boss

During his adventure, people walk along almost daily. “So far I have only walked four times on my own. The one time it is someone who is also a loved one to cancer, the other time it is someone who just likes to walk a bit with it. ”

His mobile continues all day and his mailbox is bulging at the end of the day. People who offer sleeping places, municipal staff who want to know what time he arrives and media. In town halls he lunches along, at people’s homes he is sitting by tea and they want to know everything about him. “A resident recently had an appointment outside the door. It was nice to be alone. “

All people are good

Frank is a runner, likes to walk and is fit. “So far, walking is going well for me,” he says. “I walk one day on my hiking shoes, the other day on running shoes. Soon I will need new shoes because they will not save 4000 kilometers. ” A tight schedule and making miles every day takes a lot of energy. “Certainly,” says Frank, “but I get more energy in return. Do you know the book ‘All people are good’? On the way I only meet lovely people who respond positively and give me everything. It’s really true. “

‘I’m fine’

During his walks, Frank enjoys the new environments, nature and the sun. “Of course I have a rain suit with me in my backpack.” Does he think of his loved ones that he has lost by cancer with every walk? “They certainly shoot through my head occasionally,” says Frank. “But I am particularly grateful that I can still do this and give all the misery a positive twist.”

His five children, grandchildren, family and friends follow Frank closely. “My children did not believe it at first that I was really going to carry out my walk through the Netherlands. I have to send them a message every night so that they know that I am doing well. ”

On to Leidschendam

And then Frank will continue again. He walks from the Van Tuyllpark via the village to the town hall where Mayor Michel Bezuijen welcomes him. Then he walks his last kilometers of this day via the new Driemanspolder to Leidschendam. “Someone there has already offered me a place to sleep, but what it looks like is still a surprise. As is a surprise every day. “

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Frank is on his way to the town hall of Zoetermeer. Photo: Indebuurt Zoetermeer

Frank walks 4000 kilometers through all in 175 days 342 municipalities In the Netherlands. In every place the mayor or an alderman awaits him and he gets a stamp at the town hall as proof. With his walking tour, he wants to win as many donations as possible for the Roparun, Hospices, walk -in houses and organizations that (after) provide care to cancer patients. His goal is 128,000 euros. His journey ends on August 14 in his own municipality of Terneuzen.

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