‘Team Hyster’ was led by Kevin Aerts, Assembler from the Nijmegen factory, who also accompanied colleagues such as Hans, Jeroen, Iason, Lucie & Ciaran.
Kevin has signed up to walk 50km per day and will be accompanied by two friends. Kevin and his Hyster coworkers are aiming to raise funds for cancer charity Marikenhuis. This volunteer-led organisation supports individuals affected by cancer. Both those directly affected by the disease, and their loved ones. It offers creative and relaxation activities, alongside information, advice, and peer support groups. The charity’s goal is to help those impacted by cancer to lead, maintain, or rebuild a fulfilling life.
To support the team, all Hyster colleagues have the opportunity to make a charitable donation via their salary. The company will be matching this donation.
We were delighted to see the full team completing all four days of the event and receiving their medals. On this achievement, Kevin said: “It was great to finish the event and complete the walk on each of the four days. It was certainly a challenge, so I’m still considering if I would do it again. However, I did the walk for the good cause of the Marikenhuis, so there was no way I was going to give up on them.”
Here’s the full story of what happened.
Day 1 – The Power to Move Ahead
On Day 1, known as Blue Tuesday, the team started their challenge. The day saw the team walk in the Betuwe region, crossing the dyke between Lent and Oosterhout. As they passed through Elst, spectators had decorated with blue balloons, flags, banners, and there was even live music creating a party atmosphere.
“I finished the day with some small aches and pains, but the fun today made it worth it,” said Kevin.
Day 2 – Something Looks Familiar…
On the second day of the event, known as Pink Wednesday, and with a focus on diversity, the team walked through the Land van Maas en Waal region, encountering tens of thousands of spectators in the town of Wijchen. Here the tradition is for visitors to be handed an apple on behalf of the mayor.
The team were proudly wearing their Hyster branded t-shirts showing they had The Power to Move Ahead. And passed a familiar site on the route– their workplace in Nijmegen. Their Hyster colleagues came out to cheer the walkers on, and a Hyster ReachStacker could even be seen in the distance. The day concluded back in Njimegen with a pink-themed party.
“My colleagues were along the road to cheer me on during this day,” said Kevin. “Many of my fellow walkers had already stopped the challenge and I had to continue by myself, but knowing I would pass Hyster kept me going.”
Day 3 – Hills to Climb
The third walking day brought the team to the arduous ‘seven hills of Groesbeek.’ They spent the day walking along waterways, through woods, over hills, through villages, and past rolling vineyards. Thousands of spectators visited the route to shout encouragement to the participants. They passed through Groesbeek where there was a party atmosphere, which continued when the day concluded at De Wedren.
“This day was painful, made harder by walking alone. But I was determined to finish and I kept going. I was so proud at the end of the day that I did not give up – it was a great day in the end,” said Kevin.
Day 4 – Overcoming the Challenge
The team entered the fourth and final day with tired feet, but a determination to complete the challenge. It included a peaceful walk through wetlands, before arriving into festivities in Cuijk, and later crossing over a specially constructed bridge on the River Meuse. However, it was a very hot day and due to high temperatures, the organisation shortened the route on the final day by 10km.
The final stretch of the walk was the Via Gladiola in Nijmegen – a street that is several kilometres long, where walkers were welcomed and congratulated with gladioli flowers.
“Although the temperature was high, there were so many people along the road applauding for the walkers that I felt they carried me through to the end,” said Kevin. “I am so proud I finished and helped raise 1000 Euros for the Marikenhuis charity.”
Congratulations to ‘Team Hyster’
Well done to Kevin and the team that took part for completing the challenge, and for helping to raise funds for a worthy cause. You proved that you all have The Power to Move Ahead every day.
See more of this year’s 4Days Marches event: https://www.4daagse.nl/en
