ROTTERDAM, 14 July 2026 – The first Rotterdam TriALSlon raised €514,588 for Stichting ALS Nederland on Saturday 11 July. Nearly 400 participants swam, ran and raced water bikes at the Willem-Alexander Baan, turning a sunny day of sport into major support for research into ALS, PSMA and PLS.
Image: Age Veenstra of the patient association, Sjoerd Trompetter of Stichting ALS Nederland, the Lassche family and Natasja Froger reveal the final total of €514,588. Photo: Joris Aben.
The organisers have already confirmed that the fundraising event will return next year. Its first edition brought together patients, families, volunteers, companies and well-known Dutch participants, with many teams carrying personal stories about the disease onto the course.
Sport and personal stories meet
The atmosphere moved between celebration and emotion throughout the day. Participants laughed, competed and encouraged one another, while the reasons behind their involvement were often connected to relatives, friends or colleagues affected by ALS.
Stichting ALS Nederland ambassador Natasja Froger spent time with participants and families, listening to their experiences and memories. Some of the stories proved difficult to hear without tears, reflecting how closely the event’s sporting challenge was tied to loss, uncertainty and hope.
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Lucille completes the swim
The event was initiated by Barry Lassche and Lucille Luijkx, who was diagnosed with ALS 23 years ago. Lucille, formerly a doctor, recognised the illness herself and has lived with it much longer than is usual.
“It is actually very special that Lucille is still here,” Barry said. “We wish everyone who receives this diagnosis could experience the course of the disease that Lucille has. And that they could also take part in an event such as the TriALSlon.”
Lucille Luijkx is welcomed ashore after completing the 500-metre swimming course. Photo: Jeannet Koomans.
Lucille completed the regular 500-metre swimming distance herself, accompanied by Barry. Their sons Friso and Pepijn continued the family effort in the water-bike and running sections.
“It is wonderful that we can do this together with our own lovely family,” Barry said after the event. Her arrival at the finish became one of the most emotional moments of the day, surrounded by relatives, friends and supporters.
Michael Mols wins celebrity race
The programme ended with a water-bike race featuring Sander de Kramer, Rob Goossens, Michael Mols, Inge de Bruijn, Renilde Huizenga and Rotterdam councillor Ferry van Wijnen. Rijnmond Sport reporters Dennis van Eersel and Dennis Kranenburg provided live commentary.
The race began with a certain amount of aquatic chaos, as Van Wijnen and De Kramer immediately ended up in the water. Former Feyenoord striker Michael Mols stayed upright, moved into the lead and crossed the finish as the winner.
Michael Mols leads the water-bike race at the Willem-Alexander Baan. Photo: Joris Aben.
Mols used the moment to remember his former teammate Fernando Ricksen, who died from ALS in 2019. “As far as I am concerned, Stichting ALS Nederland is the real winner,” he said on stage. “I lost my teammate Ricksen to this terrible disease. We must do everything we can to prevent that.”
The celebrity race added a lighter competitive finish to the programme, while keeping the purpose of the event firmly in view. Participants were racing one another, but the shared target was raising as much money as possible.
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More than half a million raised
At the end of the day, the organisers presented Stichting ALS Nederland with a cheque for €514,588. The proceeds will go towards scientific research into ALS, PSMA and PLS.
“We have raised €514,588, an incredible result that directly contributes to important scientific research,” said Limore Noach, director of Stichting ALS Nederland. “Together, we have shown in Rotterdam what is possible when organisations and people unite behind one shared goal: eliminating ALS. It is an impressive result from a remarkable first edition of the TriALSlon.”
Participants and supporters gather on the TriALSlon festival site. Photo: Joris Aben.
Barry Lassche said the organisers will now evaluate the first edition before beginning preparations for the next event. “We will first take a close look at everything, and then turn our attention enthusiastically to how we want to approach next year. But there is certainly an appetite for more.”
With almost 400 participants, a confirmed second edition and more than half a million euros raised, the first Rotterdam TriALSlon made a strong start.
More information about the event and its fundraising work is available at https://trialslon.nl.
