Make-A-Wish: Kilometres for Hope

Text: Captain Milán Gajdos | Photo: Lieutenant Colonel Zoltán Nagy and the Author | 11:44 June 10, 2026

A charity sports event was held in Mons at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), with the participation of Hungarian soldiers and their family members. Donations totalling nearly HUF 22 million (approximately €62,000) were raised to support children battling with serious illnesses.

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The goal of SHAPE’s annual community event, the Make-A-Wish charity challenge, is to grant the wishes of children battling with serious illnesses. Servicemembers, civilian staff, and family members from NATO member and partner countries ran and walked for 24 hours, covering a total of nearly 11,000 kilometres. Nearly 60 teams (with a total of about 9,000 participants) raised donations in this way.

More than fifty Hungarian soldiers serving at SHAPE and their family members joined the event. Members of the community were present on the track throughout the entire 24-hour Fun Run, so there were Hungarian participants present day and night. Their team ultimately contributed a total of more than 200 kilometres to the collective effort.

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This year the Turkish team took the first place in the overall rankings, followed by the Italian and the Polish teams. Nevertheless, the Make-A-Wish challenge is never really about competition, but the power of community and solidarity.

The result of this year’s fundraising campaign is expected to grant the wishes of at least 24 children, giving them hope and strength in the face of their daily struggles.