Wind, rain, snow or sun. Roland Beumer will cycle in all weather conditions this year, because today, on his birthday, he starts the 60-60-366 Challenge. The challenge symbolizes his age of sixty and the goal of cycling sixty kilometers every day for 366 days.
The purpose of this challenge is to raise money for children living in poverty. The money raised will be used to send children on holiday, together with their parents, via the Holiday Bank. The project was set up by Kiwanis Assen, an organization that focuses on charities for children. It is not the first time that Beumer has committed himself to charity; He previously cycled to raise money for children with cancer.
This time we decided to raise money for children who normally cannot go on holiday. “The memories I have of holidays with my parents are precious,” says Roland. “For example, we went to Texel, and I can still point out exactly where we were on the campsite. It means a lot to me.”
With this aim, Beumer wants to give memories to children who cannot go on holiday. “We are starting with children in Assen, but as more money comes in, we also hope to send families outside Assen on holiday through the Vakantiebank,” he concludes.
During the kick-off, Roland is accompanied by three cycling friends who know each other through Kiwanis Assen. Together they kick off this special project, but Roland will complete most of the challenge alone. Even when Beumer goes on holiday himself, the bicycle will come with him.