Hurrah for Niels! (2000)
The Croft Times


After cycling for more than three days, Niels Berndsen arrived at Core Design only to greet by Lara Croft herself!

Niels planed this tour initially as a way to show Core that a lot of fans cared about Lara and her future, and also to support them in the fight against anyone who gives her a bad reputation, namely nude raider sites.

And so, on September 2nd, Niels started his cycling tour on Veenendaal, Netherlands, at AtollSoft (Eidos distributors) on his way to Core Design's headquarters in Derby, England. Where he arrived on September 5th at around 4pm.

Lucy Clarkson, the official Lara Croft model, was there in person to greet him, as well as Jeremy Heath-Smith, Core's Managing Director and Eidos' Head of Development; Adrian Heath-Smith, Core's Operations Director; Susie Hamilton, Core's PR Manager; Andrew Thompson, Core's Operations Manager; Andy Watt, Producer; as well as all the Tomb Raider development team. We think this proves that Core Design was really happy about Niels' trip!


Waiting for Niels were also several TV crews, newspaper and magazine reporters, and of course the Croft Times team!

Core Design was indeed very supportive of Niels' initiative since the beginning, they've sponsored it, they got Lucozade to sponsor it, they have found Niels places to camp at night, etc. They also invited the Croft Times team to be present and we're very thankful for that.

Niels was also presented with a unique, exclusively made for him, Lara poster that we're sure he'll treasure forever, as well as a limited edition Lara flying jacket.

But probably the best part for Niels was the dream date with Lara! Indeed on the evening of his arrival, Niels and Lara went to a fancy restaurant in Derby for their date, of which we won't get into details...

Niles says goodbye to Gerard from AtollSoft
Ready to go!
Niels at his camping site in Leicheister
Susie Hamilton carrying Niels' Lucozade stack for the day!
Niels arrives at Core Design
Niels with Lucy "Lara" Clarkson and Jeremy Smith
With the Tomb Raider team
Niels tells his tale to Adrian Smith and Lucy
Niels' exclusive Lara poster
   
Niels and Lara on a dream date!