The Challenge

Tilburg, February 2 - What if movement was no longer something you could take for granted? For more than 20,000 children with a muscle disease in the Netherlands, this is a daily reality. In June, professional windsurfer Bob van de Burgt (FMX Racing / Point-7) will take on an extraordinary challenge for Spieren voor Spieren: breaking the world record for the greatest distance windsurfed in 24 hours. Under the name The Challenge - Race Against Time, Bob aims to cover more than 800 kilometres at Brouwersdam, the Netherlands, on the Grevelingenmeer and break the current world record. 

The record attempt symbolises perseverance, but above all urgency: for children with a muscle disease, time is not something they can take for granted. In children with muscle diseases, muscle strength gradually declines and once it is lost, it can never be regained. Time is working against them. Through this challenge, Bob aims to raise both awareness and funds for children with muscle diseases.

For Bob van de Burgt, muscles are the foundation of freedom, control, and performance. For Lucas, child ambassador of Spieren voor Spieren, and thousands of other children, muscles represent uncertainty and limitations. That contrast forms the core of Surfing for Spieren, Bob's challenge last year in which he became the first person ever to windsurf to England and back, raising a significant amount for Spieren voor Spieren. The same philosophy continues in The Challenge: what is an exceptional sporting achievement for one person is daily reality for another.

"The physical demands of The Challenge are extremely tough, but it is a conscious choice," says Bob van de Burgt. "I can stop at any moment. For children with a muscle disease, physical limitations are part of daily life - their bodies demand everything from them every single day, without a pause button. With The Challenge, I want to use my healthy muscles for them."

The campaign video marks the beginning of a story where elite sports and vulnerability intersect. Where a world record may represent a sporting milestone for one person, for another it means hope: hope for faster diagnoses, new treatments and medication, groundbreaking research, and the strength to keep moving.

Monique Maks, director of Spieren voor Spieren, says: "While the future is a promise for healthy children, for children with a muscle disease it is a race against the clock. Seeing Bob once again push his limits for these children deeply moves us. Every kilometre he covers has an enormous impact."

The campaign was symbolically launched together with Howden Netherlands, the title sponsor of The Challenge Race Against Time. By quite literally getting moving together with Bob and child ambassador Lucas, Howden demonstrated that standing still is not an option for children with muscle diseases and that action taken now can truly make a difference.
Lando te Molder, CEO of Howden Netherlands: "The urgency of muscle diseases in children requires action, not just words. Companies have both the power and the responsibility to create social impact. Supporting initiatives like The Challenge shows how we can contribute to research and support that can make a real difference for children with muscle diseases."

Everyone can contribute to this movement. Every donation helps children with muscle diseases move forward.

To find out more about The Challenge and to donate please visit @ https://surfenvoorspieren.nl