No leather-clad motorcyclists on the TT Circuit this morning, but hundreds of people in Santa Claus clothes. They got on their motorcycle as Santa Maxima.
“Santa Maxima is a group of motorcyclists who ride in a column through cities and villages to draw attention and raise money for the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in Utrecht,” explains Alexander Schnieders. Schnieders is from the group from Drenthe. “I am participating because my nephew has a tumor in his back that cannot be treated. He has also been in the Princess Maxima Hospital.”
Schnieders is not the only one with such a story. More people participate who have had to deal with cancer at a young age or know someone in the family or environment.
The initiative originated in North Holland and has now been expanded to nine other provinces. The riders from Friesland and Groningen were also at the TT Circuit this morning.
Harrie Noordhof, leader of the group from Groningen, got angry for a moment when he saw ‘his’ people driving onto the circuit. “The group is much larger than expected. Everyone’s dedication does something to you.”
Everyone rides for the same purpose. Raise as much money as possible for the ‘Accommodation and activities’ department. “It costs a lot of money to treat sick children and to keep such a hospital running. There is no money for extras such as fun activities, where the children and parents do not have to think about the trouble. That can only be done through sponsorship. If that is not available, then nothing can be done,” Schnieders explains.
“Children lying there have a hard enough time,” Noordhof adds. “So if they can do nice things, that makes a big difference.”
Santa Clauses notice that people are becoming more generous every year. “We once started with 13,000 euros, last year we received no less than 51,000 euros in donations,” says a proud Noordhof. “Last year was a very large amount. We’ll just have to see if we can achieve that again this year. But I have good hopes,” laughs Schnieders.