A 100 km hike covering seven summits… all in one day… a bit ludicrous?

That’s what I will be attempting in April 2022. The Dutch Mountain Trail is a 101 km trail covering seven summits in the beautiful most southern part of Limburg via the German and Belgium borders and finishing in Maastricht. A bold personal challenge and a great way to support a fantastic charity.

Despite me and my family living in London for quite some time now, interestingly, this challenge is bringing me back to the area I grew up, so I am proud to attempt a bold physical challenge in my old backyard – so to speak. For the first 50km, Willem Klijnstra, a sporty Frisian who is a dear friend (and former colleague), has very generously agreed that he will join me for support and accompany me for the first half of the itinerary. A few others too, friends and family, have also enthusiastically offered to join for bits and parts of this hike.

After some initial training routes in hilly North London to establish a baseline, a training plan has now been set, to ensure I cover abundant miles in the run up to April. It won't be easy, 101 km in one go covering seven summits will by far be the hardest physical challenge I have ever undertaken.

Therefore, as an extra motivation, I would like to do this for a fantastic cause and am looking to raise a sum of £1000 for GOSH Charity. To make the impact go even further, I will be seeking Matched Funding from the Bank. Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) does amazing and also extremely specialized work into children’s health.

GOSH Children Hospital Charity

Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) is one of the world’s leading children's hospitals. GOSH is an international centre of excellence in child healthcare.

Since its formation in 1852, the hospital has been dedicated to children’s healthcare and to finding new and better ways to treat childhood illnesses. Most of the children we care for are referred from other hospitals throughout the UK and overseas. There are 63 different clinical specialties at GOSH; the UK's widest range of specialist health services for children on one site.

GOSH Charity - supports the hospital by among others: Research into children’s health; Support for families and children; and Life-saving medical equipment.

For more information on GOSH:

https://www.gosh.org/

https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/about-us/

For more information on the Dutch Mountain Trail:

https://www.dmff.eu/en/dutch-mountain-trail-2/

All the best,

Jean-Paul

“It always seems impossible, until it is done” - Nelson Mandela