Organizers of the 3FM Serious Request event have announced the cancellation of the scheduled podium program featuring Chef’Special, following crowd disturbances during the event's hardstyle night on Monday. The decision came after consultations with local authorities and safety services, as concerns for public safety escalated.
According to NPO spokesperson, the decision to cancel was made with the intent of prioritizing safety after hundreds of visitors broke through barriers to access the venue. "Naar aanleiding van de situatie maandag hebben we... het podiumprogramma met onder meer Chef’Special vanavond niet door te laten gaan," the spokesperson stated. Instead, the organization will allow attendees to follow the announcement of the total amount raised on large screens at the Rodetorenplein.
Locoburgemeester Anja Roelfs involved local officials, saying, "Er zijn toch nog wat dingen bij elkaar gekomen. We verwachten nu ook weer een heel grote opkomst. Vandaar deze wending." She mentioned earlier plans to proceed but indicated changes arose due to recent events.
Barend van Deelen, one of the event's main DJs, remained optimistic about the evening’s eventual impact, declaring, "We gaan er alsnog een prachtige avond van maken.” The excitement surrounding the fundraising effort has remained palpable throughout the week.
A live show celebrating the completion of the Serious Request campaign will still take place on Christmas Eve, providing the community with closure. This broadcast, scheduled to air from 19:20 to 20:00 on NPO 3 and NPO 3FM, will feature the departure of 3FM DJs from the Glazen Huis after spending the week gathering funds for the charity Metakids.
The event aims to support children with disabilities, and the final amount raised has reached €11.5 million, marking the highest fundraising effort since 2014. "Op deze manier willen we de focus behouden op onze actie en het prachtige bedrag dat we Metakids aan kunnen bieden," the organizers shared, underscoring their dedication to the cause.
Initially, there was optimism surrounding the potential turnout and success of the event. Yet, the disturbances reflect challenges organizers face even when fundraising for noble causes. The results from this year's campaign are highly expected, and many hope the coverage will highlight the significant achievements of the participating DJs and the overwhelming community support.
While the cancellation of the Chef’Special performance may be disappointing for fans and attendees, the organizers stress the importance of maintaining safety and focus on the charity goals, particularly with the number of people expected at the event likely remaining high.
Despite the abrupt changes, the 3FM Serious Request event aims to end the holiday season on a high note, promoting the spirit of giving, compassion, and solidarity within the community. With the final show approaching, all eyes will be on the total amount raised and the positive impact it will make for children benefiting from the Metakids charity.
Stay tuned for the final update on the fundraising announcement to witness the community's hard work and generosity culminate during this year's 3FM Serious Request.
