The story of Pleun’s Rainbow Ice Cream
Meet Pleun, a cheerful ten-year-old from Deventer with a big love for rainbows — and a very special idea: the Rainbow Ice Cream. What may look like a colorful, joyful treat at first glance carries a deep and meaningful message. Pleun is one of only 60 children in the Netherlands living with Batten disease, a rare and severe metabolic disorder that has a profound impact on the lives of children and their families.
A brave girl with an extraordinary story
Pleun is a cheerful ten-year-old who lives in Deventer with her parents and her younger sister, Billie. Until the age of five, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. She appeared to be an energetic, healthy girl with the world at her feet. But when her eyesight gradually began to deteriorate, her parents initially suspected something minor, such as the need for glasses.
What followed was a blow no one saw coming. In July 2019, they received the devastating diagnosis: Pleun has Batten disease — a rare, hereditary, and progressive metabolic disorder. A life-shattering moment that turned their world upside down forever.
Small trailer, big possibilities
Pleun’s Rainbow Ice Cream is served from the Ice Cream Eco Trailer 220 — a compact yet eye-catching mobile ice cream trailer that proves great things come in small packages. Easy to tow, quick to set up, and designed to attract attention wherever it goes, it offers the perfect stage for colorful treats and happy moments on the move. Fully customizable to match any brand or concept, it turns every location into an instant ice cream destination.
How did Pleun’s Rainbow Ice Cream come about?
When Pleun was diagnosed with Batten disease, her parents decided not to stand still. Determined to make a difference, they took action. Through various initiatives, they work to raise awareness of this rare disease and to support the urgently needed research for a possible cure.
One of the most special projects was created in collaboration with ice cream expert Matthijs Maassen of Onwijs Lekker IJs. Together, they developed a delicious and responsibly made Rainbow Ice Cream — not only a treat for young and old, but also a way to draw attention to Batten disease. A portion of the proceeds goes directly to charity.
In this way, every ice cream becomes a small step in a much larger fight — and it might as well taste great, too.
Pleun’s Rainbow Ice Cream
In February 2020, Pleun was given a very special opportunity. At the Ice Lab of ice cream professor Matthijs Maassen in Nijmegen, she was invited to design her very own fruit ice cream. She personally chose the colors and flavors, tasting again and again until it was absolutely perfect.
Even as a little girl, Pleun loved rainbows — although her eyesight was already deteriorating at the time. A year later, due to Batten disease, she is now almost completely blind and can only experience her ice cream through taste. The ice cream was first sold at her parents’ hospitality business to raise awareness for Batten. The response was so overwhelming that it is now available throughout the Netherlands.
As Pleun will gradually lose more abilities, her parents want to create as many beautiful memories as possible. To support this — both financially and legally — the Pleun Foundation was established in January 2022.
A food trailer by Multiwagon
Together with Pleun’s Rainbow Ice Cream, we had the honor of creating this fantastic ice cream trailer. We worked closely on the trailer’s wrapping, interior design, and the best way to showcase Pleun’s Rainbow Ice Cream so it truly stands out. At Multiwagon, we are committed to supporting our customers every step of the way and turning their dream concepts into reality.
Are you also looking for your own dream concept on wheels? Take a look at our models page or get in touch with us!
