Puurs-Sint-Amands (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Puurs-Sint-Amands, Team “8 in a Row”, led by Mark Drieghe, is preparing 1,300 litres of spaghetti to raise €27,500 for Kom op tegen Kanker ahead of their 10th 1,000 km ride.
As VRT News reported, in Puurs-Sint-Amands, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, volunteers from Team “8 in a Row” are preparing 1,300 litres of spaghetti sauce to raise funds for Kom op tegen Kanker (Stand Up to Cancer). The large-scale cooking event marks the start of their fundraising campaign for the well-known 1,000-kilometre cycling challenge.
This year, the team will participate with 5 cycling groups, which requires a total of €27,500 in entry fees. To reach that goal, they have launched their first major event — a spaghetti sale. Over 4 days, the volunteers will cook using 275 kilograms of minced meat and nearly 750 kilograms of vegetables.
“We’ll be cooking for the next three days,”
says organiser Mark Drieghe.
“Saturday is the big pickup day, when everyone can come and pick up their order.”
What is Puurs-Sint-Amands Team 8 in a Row cooking 1300L spaghetti for?
If everything goes according to plan, Team “8 in a Row” will take part in the 1,000-kilometre cycling event against cancer for the 10th time this year. The team has been involved in the challenge for almost a decade, raising funds for Kom op tegen Kanker (Stand Up to Cancer). Each year, the cyclists ride long distances over several days to collect money that supports cancer research, patient care, and related programs.
“We started it because my wife was recovering physically from cancer. We thought it was a great initiative at the time,” says Mark.
“She cycled through several editions herself,”
he says.
“Unfortunately, she relapsed, and around this time, she passed away six years ago.”
“That’s why it’s all the more wonderful to be together during this difficult time,”
Mark explains.
“This way we can continue to talk about her with people who knew her well.”
For one member of the team, the ride has a personal meaning. He lost his wife to cancer but continues to raise money to help others.
“They couldn’t save my wife, but it comforts me to raise money to help others,”
he said.
The 1,000 km voor Kom op tegen Kanker cycling event started in 2010 as a 4-day charity ride during the Ascension weekend. Over the years, it has grown into one of Belgium’s largest fundraising events for cancer research and patient care.
In 2019, the 10th edition took place from 30 May to 2 June, with 1,140 teams taking part and raising a record €5.7 million. Teams cycle long distances each day, starting and ending in Mechelen and passing through cities across the country.
