Morphman In First Stage of 420Km Charity Run In Holland

Morphman In First Stage of 420Km Charity Run In Holland

Expat Kiwi Ollie Hicks has taken the first strides of a 420km journey today, running the length of Holland in a hot pink lycra morphsuit for charity.

Hicks, aka MORPHMAN, is cutting a pink swathe across Holland to raise funds for Pink Ribbon, the breast cancer research and awareness charity. Today [overnight, NZ time], his 10-day journey started with a 36.1km leg from the North Sea to Groningen.

“It was great to start the journey today meeting many Dutch locals throughout the province of Groningen. It has given me the motivation to really kick on and reach my goal,” Hicks says.

“We broke the €3000 fundraising mark before we set off from the edge of the North Sea, which was an amazing way to start things off.

“Lollies and Dutch snacks kept me going and I had a friend and sponsor running with me, whilst my girlfriend was knitting and sitting in my pink support car taking care of the navigation.”

Even before the first day of his challenge, Hicks, 30, had already made a big impression with MORPHMAN. He has completed the Brussels marathon and Eindhoven half marathon among other events in preparation – all in the distinctive pink suit, of course.

At the weekend [Sunday 20 October], he was joined by a team of expat Kiwis, French and Dutch supporters who donned their own pink morphsuits and ran the Amsterdam half marathon.

“We had a great response from the Amsterdam crowd – a mixture of cheers, wolf whistles, high fives and lots of laughs,” Hicks says.

“It was great to have the support of so many friends backing the drive towards our fundraising goal of €5000 (NZ$8250) for Pink Ribbon.”

Among supporters cheering the morphies along was Jen Edwards, 28. A breast cancer survivor, Edwards is the morphie ambassador. Also an expat Kiwi, she is the partner of Hicks’ mate since childhood, Brendan Garty.

Hicks explains how the courage of both Jen and Brendan facing breast cancer at such an early stage in life inspired him to show his support through the MORPHMAN challenge.

“Jen is one tough cookie. Her diagnosis came unexpectedly two years ago and she has been incredibly strong dealing with everything that has followed since. She had a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation and reconstruction”

“I know my challenge to run the length of Holland in a morphsuit is slightly mad, but it’s nothing compared to what she and thousands of other women and men face with cancer every day.”

Hicks still has nine long days of running ahead of him but is confident he can become the first person to run the length of Holland in a tight, bright pink morphsuit.

“It’s hard work physically and mentally but it’s also a lot of fun and very rewarding. Holland is my adopted home and the people are very warm and welcoming wherever MOPRHMAN goes.

“It’s great to also have the support of people back home in New Zealand.”

HOW CAN KIWIS SHOW THEIR SUPPORT?

Hicks is a proud New Zealander taking on a big challenge in a foreign land. His campaign is all about awareness, a sense of fun and, of course, raising as much money as possible for Pink Ribbon. Those wishing to make a donation of any kind (cash, time, resources or words of encouragement) should visit the MORPHMAN website http://www.morphman.nl/ or email oliverjameshicks@yahoo.co.nz

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