Tielen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – 27 children from De Omnibus in Tielen will walk 14km to Scherpenheuvel on Thursday in a heartfelt fundraiser for their sick 10-year-old classmate Milly.
The girl has acute leukemia and is battling it. The students will burn a candle in the basilica and use the trek to raise money for the family.
The 27 kids from Tielen began their trek for Milly from Herselt on Thursday, accompanied by 17 adults.
“They are between 4 and 11 years old and so I think it is brave that they are up for such a long walk of 14 kilometers”,
Says Katrien Hertogs, mother of Camie (10) who wanted to set up a campaign for her sick friend.
“Camie has really pushed hard in recent weeks to be able to organize something. She initially wanted to sell bracelets, but I thought we should do it on a bigger scale. This walk is sponsored. For example, Bakery Van Genechten from Tielen is providing coffee cakes.”
Upon arrival in Scherpenheuvel, the children will light a candle for Milly. The proceeds of the walk will go entirely to her parents.
“We hope to be able to hand them a check with a nice amount,”
Says Katrien Hertogs.
And are they afraid of rain showers?
“We can handle that. Milly has been suffering every day for months, a little wetness shouldn’t stop us.”
What inspired the children to choose this specific route for fundraising?
A popular religious and cultural pilgrimage site in Belgium, Scherpenheuvel represents healing, optimism, and camaraderie. Because of this, it serves as an appropriate and symbolic conclusion to a charity walk that is intended to aid their ailing classmate Milly.
The route embodies the concept of banding together to help someone in need and represents a journey of compassion and togetherness. Walking to a location connected to wellbeing and prayer adds motivational and emotional value.
The length of the journey is difficult but doable for the kids, making it a sensible decision that promotes involvement and raises money and awareness.
Selecting a well-known site increases the impact of their fundraising efforts by drawing support and attention from the larger community.
