Four people, one path
Charity-Hiker e.V. stands on more than one pair of feet. There are currently four active hikers, each with their own motivation, out on the trail for the sake of children fighting cancer – each with their own story, their own route, and their own drive. Here, they introduce themselves.
Sven
Active HikerBorn in 1971 in the Palatinate, living in the Black Forest since 2016. After his first Camino de Santiago in January 2019, nothing stayed the same for Sven — professionally or personally. That experience gave rise to the idea of combining hiking with charity walks for severely ill children. Since then, he has covered more than 13,000 kilometers on European pilgrimage routes, including the 8,280-kilometer tour from the North Cape to Fisterra.
Trust your path — it gives you exactly what you need, when you need it.
Alix
Active Hiker · FranceAlix is from France and will accompany Sven from 01/06/2027 on the entire Three Kings Tour — all 7,500 kilometers through all 10 countries.
From a very young age, Alix explored hiking trails in the backpack of her father, a mountain guide. She completed her first Camino de Santiago in 2022.
With an intense and colourful personality, she was looking for a walk with more meaning. Since then, she has completed the Via Podiensis, the Camino Francés (twice), and the Camino Primitivo.
Passionate about people, Alix made it her profession: she is a therapist. Joining a charitable organisation was therefore a natural step for her, bringing together two things especially close to her heart: people and walking.
The path brings you, step by step, closer to who you truly are.
Martina
Active HikerBorn in 1972 in the Münsterland region, Martina lives in Isselburg. With a congenital hip dysplasia, numerous surgeries, and two artificial hip joints, she has known challenges since childhood. But rather than letting that hold her back, she chose to walk her own path – step by step.
In 2026, she fulfilled a long-held dream and walked more than 450 kilometres along the Portuguese Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela and on to Cape Finisterre. With her fundraising walk “Schritt für Schritt” (“Step by Step”), she raised donations for seriously ill children and showed that courage, endurance, and belief in oneself can move mountains.
Today, Martina wants her hikes to give other people hope, encourage them to set out on their own path, and do good together with Charity-Hiker e.V.
The first step takes courage. Every step after that shows you how much more you're capable of than you ever believed.
Tobi
Active HikerTobi was born in 1980 in Offenburg. He loves hiking.
After completing his first Camino de Santiago, the Camino Portugués, at the end of 2025, it was clear to him that this was only the beginning. Shortly after returning home, he decided to walk the Camino Primitivo.
Looking for extra motivation and driven by the idea of doing good and helping those less fortunate, he found Sven and Charity-Hiker e.V. through Camino Talk.
After a short phone call with Sven, everything was clear to him, and he managed to gather a great deal of support for people in need for his Primitivo – something he's still very proud of today.
Our Code
As Charity-Hikers, we don't just walk a path. We walk for seriously ill children, their families, and for people who need support. The following values and code of conduct apply to us and to anyone who appears officially as a Charity-Hiker.
Through our Charity-Hikes, we raise donations while also raising awareness of the everyday reality faced by affected families. We want to encourage people to speak openly about cancer and other serious illnesses, to break down apprehension, and to foster understanding. Our goal is not pity. Our goal is compassion, hope, and humanity. Every step we take is meant to bring people together and help make things better.
- Humanity – For us, people always come first. No goal, no stage, and no kilometre is more important than a human being.
- Respect – We treat every person with respect and dignity, regardless of origin, religion, worldview, gender, age, or way of life.
- Honesty – We walk honestly. We don't exaggerate our achievements. We don't tell false stories. We own our mistakes.
- Responsibility – We take responsibility for our actions, our words, our impact, for nature, and for the people we meet.
- Community – A Charity-Hike is not a competition. We support one another. We help wherever help is needed.
- Gratitude – All support is given freely. Every encounter has value. We meet people with appreciation and gratitude.
- Hope – Our goal is not attention. Our goal is to give hope.
- Movement creates change – We believe that every step can make a difference, in our own life and in the lives of others.
- Humility – We see our path as service to a good cause, not as a stage for our own ego.
- Creating understanding – We don't walk only to raise donations. We also walk to build understanding for the everyday reality of seriously ill children and their families. We speak openly about cancer and other serious illnesses — not to create pity, but to foster compassion, understanding, and public awareness. Because only those who understand can truly help.
- Our promise – We don't walk only for ourselves. We walk for people who need our support. With every step, we carry hope, respect, and humanity further.
Anyone who appears officially as a Charity-Hiker represents more than just themselves. They represent Charity-Hiker e.V., its values, its statutes, and its charitable mission. This charter sets out the binding code of conduct for all official Charity-Hikers.
- Representation – I represent Charity-Hiker e.V. at all times with respect and a sense of responsibility. My conduct strengthens trust in the association and its work.
- Humanity – I treat every person with respect, openness, and appreciation. I listen before I judge.
- Political neutrality – Charity-Hiker is non-partisan. During official Charity-Hikes, I do not represent any political party, election campaign, or political movement on behalf of Charity-Hiker. Personal political views remain a private matter.
- Religious neutrality – Charity-Hiker is interfaith. I respect all religions, worldviews, and people without religious affiliation. Proselytising or religious promotion have no place on a Charity-Hike.
- Honesty – I only provide truthful information about my tour, my achievements, and any fundraising activities.
- Transparency – I handle donations responsibly. The purpose of every donation is communicated openly. Private financial interests are never mixed with charitable donations.
- Safety – Health and safety always come first. No goal justifies unnecessary risk.
- Nature – I respect nature, the environment, animals, and property. I leave no damage behind.
- Communication – I communicate respectfully. Discrimination, hate speech, insults, or degrading remarks are contrary to Charity-Hiker's values.
- Social media – I use social media responsibly. I do not publish content that could harm Charity-Hiker's reputation. My posts should inform, give hope, and foster understanding.
- Awareness – I use encounters along the way to build understanding for seriously ill children and their families. I speak openly about their everyday reality — not to create pity, but to grow compassion and understanding.
- Compliance with the law – I abide by the laws and regulations of the countries I travel through.
- Representing the association – In principle, I only speak for myself. Official statements on behalf of Charity-Hiker e.V. are made exclusively by authorised representatives of the association.
- Consequences – Anyone who seriously or repeatedly violates this charter, thereby damaging the reputation or goals of Charity-Hiker e.V., may, by resolution of the board, lose the right to appear officially as a Charity-Hiker.