Lotto Belisol: Make-A-Wish and Lotto Belisol fulfill the heart’s desire of Steven
Last Wednesday the heart’s desire of the 18-year-old Steven from Turnhout was fulfilled, thanks to Make-A-Wish and in cooperation with Lotto Belisol. Steven has mucoviscidose, but it’s his big dream to climb a mountain with a real race bike. Steven was invited by Lotto Belisol on the occasion of the Brabantse Pijl. Annelies Van Soom is part of the wish team of Make-A-Wish and helped to fulfill the dream of Steven.
Jurgen Van den Broeck gave a cycling outfit
Annelies Van Soom, volunteer at Make-A-Wish: “In the morning we picked up Steven, his parents and sister at their home. From there we went to the hotel where Lotto Belisol stayed. Steven could have breakfast with the riders. Jurgen Van den Broeck gave him a complete cycling outfit. Steven also got the chance to inspect the fleet: the team cars, team bus and truck with all the material. In a VIP car we followed the Lotto Belisol caravan to the start in Leuven. There we walked around the different team busses. We had a very good spot at the podium where all the riders came to sign and watched the start from nearby.”
Visit to Ridley Bikes
“Then we had lunch in a Chinese restaurant, that’s the favourite food of Steven. Afterwards he could step in a Ferrari that brought him to the factory of Ridley Bikes. There the measurements were done for the race bike he gets. In a few weeks it will be officially handed over. He also got a tour in the company, so he could see the entire production process. He’s very fond of technique so that pleased him. Then he could go back in the Ferrari and we bought some accessories like a bike computer. That way Steven is fully equipped to train and eventually climb a mountain. He was overwhelmed and surprised with this day and very happy with all what was foreseen for him.”
It’s all about the child
“The child is central on such a day and we want to plan it with all things they’re fond of. We set a date with the parents. Also to them we don’t tell what’s going to happen, so they can’t give away any tips. We fulfill about 170 wishes per year. The partnership with Lotto Belisol is very important to us. It’s very nice what they have realized for Steven, something like that makes it unique for the children. For our organization it’s also great sponsoring and it helps to spread our name.”
Lotto Belisol supports Make-A-Wish
Arne Houtekier, PR and communication manager Lotto Belisol: “Lotto Belisol gets many requests to support charity. It’s not always easy to make a selection. This year we’ve chosen to support Make-A-Wish. The baseline of the team is ‘Live Your Dream’ and that’s closely linked with the mission of Make-A-Wish, which fulfills the heart’s desires of children between three and eighteen years with a life-threatening illness. Lotto Belisol gladly helps to make those dreams come true. We want to do that in three ways. Wednesday at the Brabantse Pijl we helped to fulfill a heart’s desire by inviting Steven to a race and offering him a complete outfit. Many thanks to our sponsors Ridley Bikes, Lazer and Gaerne for the bike, helmet, glasses and shoes. We also want to support Make-A-Wish in the field of communication and put the organization in the picture. Certain occasions we want to use to raise money for this good cause. The proceeds of the Belisolpijl of next Monday will go to Make-A-Wish.”
About Make-A-Wish®: this organization of volunteers grants children, aged between 3 and 18 who are living with a life-threatening illness, their fondest wishes. Our intention is to give these children and their families an unforgettable moment in the midst of all their worries, doubts, despair and sorrow. Away from clinics, doctors and treatments we wish to give them courage for the uncertain future which lies ahead. https://www.makeawish.be/
For more information about Make-A-Wish contact Marc Peeters: +32 497 673 593
For more information about the cooperation between Lotto Belisol and Make-A-Wish contact PR and communication manager Arne Houtekier: +32 495 411 419
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