A gym as a charity? You would almost think so when you hear the story of gym owner Daoud Rahimi. Because for this entrepreneur it is always about more than good fitness or the fight against unwanted kilos. Over the years, Rahimi regularly held promotions for charities and holds special promotions to enable people with a small wallet to exercise.
Today was the day again. Through a spinning marathon, people worked up a sweat to raise a nice amount for the Ambulance Wens Foundation.
When you open the door to the gym you are practically blown away. The screeching guitars and heavy drums make you feel like you’re standing on the runway at Schiphol. A group of about twenty sports enthusiasts stands on the pedals of their spinning bike, after an instructor from a raised podium steps it up a notch:
“We can add another half,” he shouts to the audience. One of the participants, a slim man, bespectacled and with short gray hair, sweat beads in drops from his forehead. “I’ve been standing here pedaling for 45 minutes,” he laughs. He is happy to donate that for a good cause. “And now I’m ready for the real work,” he says, shifting gears again.
Since this morning, visitors to Rahimi’s gym have been paddling blankly for the Ambulance Wens Foundation. Participants donate an amount of 25 euros or higher to spin for about an hour.
The action will be held in Daoud Rahimi’s gym in Borger. It is located in the former climbing shed on the Nuisveen and opened its doors last autumn. The gym owner has also had a branch in Rolde for years. “Yes, we often do something for charities,” he admits. Previously for the Sports Fund and the Sport Drenthe foundation. These actions are often aimed at people who are not well off and thus still get the opportunity to exercise. Rahimi himself has also given away memberships for his gym.
And now it is the turn of the Ambulance Wens Foundation. “Members of the foundation also exercise with me. So I heard what they do for others. They fulfill last wishes for others and we as a gym wanted to be able to do something for that,” says Rahimi.
As mentioned, Rahimi and his employees regularly contribute to charity. “I like to help people. I like to give something back to society. That is important.” According to him, it is also hidden in that word: living together. “We have to do it together. And I would like to give something back to society.”
Sport is the key to this for Rahimi. Not so strange when you hear his story. He is originally from Afghanistan, a country where a civil war has been raging for decades. Rahimi trained in the martial art of taekwondo at a high level. He would compete in the Olympics. “Unfortunately, due to the war it was not possible to participate, after which I fled.” He travels through several countries without having a permanent address anywhere. “I lived on the street and it wasn’t easy.”
Ultimately, he manages to build a new life in the Netherlands. He was first active as a freefighter in Emmen. He later founded his gym in Rolde. “I am very proud that I can live here and be here.” He has been working for years to realize affordable sports throughout Drenthe. He wants to open several more branches, including in Gieten, he says. “I would like to see that everyone with a small budget can exercise at low costs. That is my dream.”
The spinning marathon raised 1,180.50 euros for the Ambulance Wens Foundation.