Serious Request star Tijn dies at age 6
Six year old Tijn, who gained national fame by raising over a million euros for 3FM's Serious Request last year, passed away during the night, the radio broadcaster announced on Friday. Tijn was suffering from brain cancer.
Following his success with the Serious Request fundraising - in which Tijn called on everyone to paint their nails and donate money to the charity - the 6-year-old boy launched another nail polish related action to raise money for Semmy, a foundation that works for better brain cancer treatment. By selling bottles of nail polish, Tijn hoped to raise a million euros so that Semmy can bring a special robot to the Netherlands to improve treatment for brain cancer. That goal was reached on Thursday, according to Eindhovens Dagblad.
"Our thoughts go out to Gerrit, Jolanda, Ries and everyone close to them. We wish them a lot of luck, courage and strength in carrying this immensely huge loss", the radio broadcaster writes on its website.
"During 3FM Serious Request in Breda we came to know Tijn as a sweet and playful boy with a very warm heart. He, together with his father, reported to the mailbox of the Glass House with an extraordinary large gesture. With his unprecedented enthusiasm, innocence and selflessness, he inspired millions of people to act and make a difference together. He put the Netherlands in motion and literally brought the whole country together. With his nail polish action, he gave thousands of children a future, while his own future was so uncertain."
