This is a special birthday present. My friend Rick turns 50 end of October and he does not want a present, but instead would like his friends to make a donation to Stichting Vluchteling (the Netherlands Refugee Foundation). So, for Rick's birthday, I will run 50 km (what else :) and hope that you will sponsor my kilometers to give him a huge birthday present in the form of a contribution to the the work of the Netherlands Refugee Foundation.

Noooo! I will not run 50km in one go! I am not that cool (yet....). I will run this distance spread over two running events: 

• 35 km during the Capadoccia Trail run (https://cappadociaultratrail.com/2016/) on 22 October; and 
• 15 km during the Istanbul Marathon of 13 November (https://www.istanbulmarathon.org/en). 

Rick's present is a very necessary present, as worldwide there are over 60 million people fleeing from war, violence and oppression. We can not stop wars. However, together we can at least make sure that refugees in critical situations get access to shelter, food, drinking water and medical care through organisations like the Netherlands Refugee Foundation. 

The Netherlands Refugee Foundation / Stichting Vluchteling is a humanitarian aid organisation that provides aid for refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide. With our international and local partner organisations we work on site in almost 50 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. We provide instant relief in emergencies in the form of accommodation, medical care, food, essential non-food products, clean water, and sanitation facilities. When conflict escalates into an acute refugee crisis, the Netherlands Refugee Foundation gives aid as quickly as possible. In the case of a long lasting crisis, our organisation provides essential aid, for example by establishing medical clinics or drinking water and sanitation facilities in refugee camps. When a safe return is possible, we support refugees to return home, by clearing areas of landmines, rebuilding schools and health care facilities. For more information visit www.vluchteling.nl

About your Donation... Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to Stichting Vluchteling. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

About my performance... I will not win ... that is for sure, especially because the 35km trail run has an elevation difference of 940m, but I will do my very best and will keep you updated through this website.

So... Do not hesitate... Donate! 

Picture above: Cappadocia; Picture credits: Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/26/22-epic-places-you-didnt-know-existed_n_4151416.html).