3FM Serious Request has made a triumphant return with its highest fundraising total since 2014, raising €11,513,485 during its recent campaign held at the Glazen Huis in Zwolle. The radio DJs involved—Barend van Deelen, Sophie Hijlkema, and Wijnand Speelman—shared their disbelief and excitement with the public as they announced the total on the evening of December 24th. “It’s just unbelievable,” they exclaimed, highlighting the collective effort of the community and supporters.
The charity event ran from December 18 to 24, with the DJs broadcasting live around the clock, taking requests for songs all for donations to Metakids, which funds research and support for children suffering from metabolic diseases. The campaign featured thousands of initiatives across the country, showcasing the incredible spirit of giving.
This year’s fundraising surpassed last year’s effort of €7.5 million for Stichting ALS Nederland, marking a significant increase and approaching the heights seen during the charity's peak years between 2012 and 2014 when they raised over €12 million each time.
Throughout the week, supporters gathered at the Rodetorenplein, making the scene lively and energetic with numerous activities. The DJs played requested songs—a great many people were eager to dedicate songs, with popular choices including Coldplay’s “Fix You” and Youp van ‘t Hek’s “Flappie.” The first million was collected shortly after the DJs entered the Glazen Huis, showcasing the event's immediate popularity.
On Saturday evening, just three days after the campaign began, the total hit €5.13 million, marking the highest interim total ever recorded for the event. By Monday, this total had climbed over €7.7 million, demonstrating the growing support for this year’s cause.
Despite the overall success, the event faced some challenges. The final evening celebration, which included live performances, had to be canceled due to safety concerns after large crowds overwhelmed the area. The police had to intervene multiple times, illustrating both the event’s popularity and the necessity for safety measures.
While the cancellation of live performances was disappointing, the atmosphere remained charged with excitement as large screens allowed attendees to watch the DJs wrap up the event from outside. The community remained engaged, demonstrating their support through contributions even as the live festivities modified.
This year's initiative for Metakids is particularly poignant, considering the powerful narratives shared by families affected by metabolic disorders. Each story communicated during the campaign underscored the importance of research funded by these donations, motivating many to contribute.
The success of Serious Request demonstrates how impactful community actions can be when people come together for a common goal. Reducing mortality rates for children with metabolic diseases is no small feat, but through Solidarity, there is hope.
Lastly, the campaign’s promotional activities and various nationwide initiatives spurred additional donations, such as software company AFAS’s generous matching contribution of €390,000 raised during their 24-hour sports marathon. This reflected not just corporate philanthropy but also the unified effort across different sectors for this noble cause.
3FM Serious Request continues to evolve, and this delightful fundraising success has reignited community spirit and awareness around childhood metabolic diseases. While the goals set for these challenges are ambitious, the results reveal how viable they can become with the public’s generous willingness to contribute during these events.
