With a photo of grandma Annie on his buoy, Muus (11) swims for ALS: ‘I don't want other people to be sad too’

Eleven-year-old Muus Bekkema recently completed the 750-meter Junior Swim in Amsterdam to raise money for ALS research. She participated in honor of her grandmother, Annie de Vegt, who passed away from the neurodegenerative disease in 2005 at the age of 65. Muus, who raised 555 euros through sponsorships, attached a photo of her grandmother to her safety buoy during the event. Her father, Willem Bekkema, expressed pride in his daughter's commitment to fighting the condition, which he described as a devastating, rapid illness that isolates patients by stripping away their ability to communicate and move.

The 14th edition of the Amsterdam City Swim proved to be a record-breaking event, raising over 3 million euros with 3,300 participants. While the adult course covers two kilometers, the Junior Swim offers a shorter distance for children aged ten and older. Having trained extensively in open water throughout the summer, Muus completed the swim alongside her mother. The family plans to participate as a group in future events to continue supporting the cause.