King Willem-Alexander with Jan Burgmeijer from the Fietsmaatjes foundation (source: Oranje Fonds, photo: Bart Homburg)
Surprise visit at Fietsmaatjes Warmond
The Fietsmaatjes foundation (translated as bike buddies) is for people who like to go out by bike but because of a disability they are no longer able to go independently. The Fietsmaatjes foundation is part of a social programme from the Oranjefonds, a fund that is there for anyone who wants to do something for someone else. King Willem-Alexander is patron of this fund.
It was a big surprise for the Fietsmaatjes foundation in Warmond that the King came on a working visit. Jan Burgmeijer, initiator of the Fietsmaatjes foundation, picked up King Willem-Alexander in Warmond in the province of Zuid-Holland and drove with him on the side-by-side tandem to the location, a brasserie. At the location, the King talked to the founders, the volunteers and participants of the foundation. Here, they talked about the meaning of the foundation and the future dreams, among other things.
The director of the Oranjefonds, Peter Douwes, was also present. The Oranjefonds supports the Fietsmaatjes foundation because it is an accessible and sympathic way to combine two things: exercise for your health but also exercise to be active and involved.