ZANDVOORT, Netherlands, Aug. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spieren voor Spieren has been named the Dutch winner of the F1® Allwyn Global Community Award at the 2026 FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN DUTCH GRAND PRIX. The non-profit, which works to transform the lives of 20,000 children with muscular diseases in the Netherlands, has been awarded €100,000 from Allwyn, the multi-national lottery-led entertainment company. The judges were impressed by how Spieren voor Spieren uses sport to promote inclusion and long-term positive change. The full €100,000 donation will support the 2026 Spieren voor Spieren Day on 30 August; an annual event for 600 participants, where children with muscle diseases and their families can safely enjoy sport, play and new experiences.
The F1® Allwyn Global Community Award 2026 trophy presented to Monique Maks (Director) and Ronald de Boer (former footballer and ambassador) of winning local charity Spieren voor Spieren at the FORMULA 1® HEINEKEN DUTCH GRAND PRIX 2026 in the Netherlands.
In the Netherlands, 20,000 children battling muscular diseases face the daily loss of mobility and independence, whether that’s walking, playing or breathing independently. Spieren voor Spieren - which also visits Formula 1® race weekends annually with its young ambassadors - changes this reality by accelerating research, improving access to earlier diagnoses and innovative treatments, and investing in sport and physical activity programmes that help children with muscular diseases stay active.
The Spieren voor Spieren Day, which will be bolstered and expanded by the donation, is an annual event that brings together hundreds of children and their families to push their limits, play sports, climb, dance, make new friends, and meet elite athletes. Themed Everything Upside Down – in celebration of unexpected moments and new experiences – it provides a day like no other, filled with joy, energy and empowerment.
Spieren voor Spieren’s relationship with Formula 1® will continue to make a lasting impact through this Award. Several of the foundation’s young ambassadors, children living with muscular diseases, attend a race weekend annually with their families. For these children, whose daily routines are often dictated by medical treatments and physical challenges, the track offers a rare escape: a day defined not by limitations, but by speed, spectacle and the opportunity to be part of the global Formula 1® community.
Aleš Veselý, CEO of Allwyn Czechia and F1® Allwyn Global Community Award judge, said: "Spieren voor Spieren’s mission perfectly embodies the Award’s focus of empowerment and inclusion, creating an environment where children and their families can experience genuine connection with others facing similar challenges. The combination of sport, family engagement and community building makes the project highly visible, emotionally compelling, and strongly aligned with the spirit of the F1® Allwyn Global Community Award."
Ellen Jones, Head of ESG at Formula 1® and F1® Allwyn Global Community Award judge, added: "At Formula 1® we recognise that sport has the unique power to inspire and connect children, families, and communities. We are proud to award Spieren voor Spieren this accolade because its initiative perfectly embodies our commitment to inclusion, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate and thrive in the sporting experience."
Monique Maks, director of Spieren voor Spieren, said: "We're incredibly proud and grateful to receive the F1® Allwyn Global Community Award. Every day, 20,000 children in the Netherlands live with the effects of a muscle disease. We stand beside them during the biggest challenge of their lives, but it's a challenge we can't overcome alone. Because this is about more than medical breakthroughs — being part of everyday life matters just as much. This Award makes that possible for at least one day during our annual Spieren voor Spieren Day."
Ronald de Boer, ambassador for Spieren voor Spieren, added: "As a former professional footballer, I know what it means to fight for something. But while I fought for titles and trophies, these kids fight every day just to keep up. That takes enormous determination. So to me, these kids embody the true meaning of fighting spirit. We celebrate that spirit every year at the Spieren voor Spieren Day. And this award means we can keep doing exactly that."
Spieren voor Spieren is the fourth non-profit to be recognised by the F1® Allwyn Global Community Award in 2026, following the British Starlight Children’s Foundation; Canadian charity La Tablée des Chefs; and Austrian non-profit Sindbad Mentoring. More organisations will be recognised across the Grand Prix race locations this season in Austin, Mexico City and Las Vegas. Later in the year, Formula 1® fans will have the chance to cast their vote on their favourite winning initiatives as part of Allwyn’s plan to bring these fans closer to the programme.
Notes to editors
About Allwyn
Allwyn AG is a multi-national gaming entertainment company, lottery-led and with leading market positions and trusted brands across Europe and North America, listed on Euronext Athens. Its purpose is to make play better for all by focusing on innovation, technology, player safety and returning more to good causes across a growing casual gaming entertainment portfolio.
About Allwyn’s partnership with Formula 1®
The multi-year partnership with Formula 1® represents a drive towards increased global awareness for Allwyn, with the sport’s 24 races across the globe, 750 million fans, and 96 million social media followers, as well as its reach across broadcast channels and entertainment outlets.
The partnership will reinforce Allwyn's position as an international brand driving community impact across the world, in support of its global growth plans.
At the heart of the partnership is the development of initiatives that will support the company’s ambition to be a positive contributor to society globally. With Allwyn and Formula 1® equally committed to empowering fans and local communities, the partnership will give Allwyn the opportunity to utilise the sport’s ever-growing international fan base to celebrate those making positive change, sharing these inspiring stories on a global level.
About Formula 1®
Formula 1® racing began in 1950 and is the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition, as well as the world’s most popular annual sporting series. Formula One World Championship Limited is part of Formula 1® and holds the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship™. Formula 1® is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: FWONA, FWONK, LLYVA, LLVYK) attributed to the Formula One Group tracking stock. The F1 logo, F1 Formula 1® logo, Formula 1®, F1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX, PADDOCK CLUB and related marks are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula 1® company. All rights reserved.
Further information about the F1® Allwyn Global Community Award, including eligibility criteria and the selection process, can be found on our website: https://www.allwyn.com/responsibility/community-award.
About Spieren voor Spieren
Spieren voor Spieren is a Dutch non-profit organisation committed to improving the lives of approximately 20,000 children living with muscle diseases in the Netherlands. The organisation supports research, earlier diagnosis and the development of new treatments, while also creating opportunities for children to participate in sport and physical activity. Through its programmes and partnerships, Spieren voor Spieren helps children and their families stay active, build connections and enjoy experiences that might otherwise be inaccessible to them.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d0d27a4e-6a34-4a3b-ba6d-50db4fce8919
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