Chris Ubels from Groningen is only six years old, but already a hero. He became too big for his beloved electric truck (a few turns smaller than the average) and donated it to the radiotherapy department of the UMCG. To make sick children happy.
After driving around in his white truck for a few years, Chris no longer fit in it. Much to his regret, because he had enjoyed it a lot since he was three. He often drove around the street in the electric car, equipped with light and sound. Forward and backward, because it can do that too.
Between the fire truck and Tesla
Chris’s love for trucks is not a stranger, his father is a truck driver. Mother Petra Klinker (35) works as a laboratory technician in the radiotherapy department of the UMCG. At the proton center, which is part of the department, sick children are regularly irradiated. When it came time for Chris to get rid of his car, Petra knew what to do with it.
In the department where she works, the children are allowed to drive to the radiation room in an electric car for some treatments. They already had a fire truck and a Tesla in their range and Chris’ truck is now also among them.
Small boy, big heart
“I discussed it extensively with Chris,” says mother Petra. “He wants to make other children happy with it.” A little boy with a big heart. Although saying goodbye was also difficult for him.
“He couldn’t get in for a while, but he was very attached to the car,” says his mother. “And he knows the idea behind it. It’s good to share with others.” There’s something special about having such a vehicle in the department, she knows. “It makes children happy. You really notice that.”
The day after Christmas, Chris parked his car in the proton center with his own hands.