Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta, hosted the Alive Charity Foundation cyclists, and the volunteers who support them, at San Anton Palace, following their successful ALIVE2025 Cycling Challenge for Cancer.
This year, 30 cyclists set off from Berlin, Germany, through the Czech Republic and arrived in Salzburg, Austria, where the whole team managed to successfully complete a 1,100-kilometre journey spread over six days.
During their journey, the cyclists faced various challenges, including inclement weather, with temperatures varying from 8 degrees Celsius to highs exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, but managed to succeed thanks to their determination and passion for the just cause of supporting and financing cancer research by the University of Malta’s Research Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT).
During a courtesy meeting with the cyclists, and the support team, President Myriam Spiteri Debono expressed her appreciation for the sacrifice and determination of all team members, as they challenge themselves for a noble cause.
The President called for increased national recognition for the Alive Challenge Foundation’s mission and pledged the Office of the Presidency’s support towards the Alive Cycling Challenge.
Alive Charity Foundation Chairman Nicky Camilleri recognised that the Foundation is benefitting from increased exposure but stated that there is still a long way to go to gain more funds for research towards cancer prevention and cure.
The courtesy call was also attended by a group of volunteers who assist the cyclists on their training held in Malta and Sicily, and during the challenge itself, and a Transport Malta official as the entity supported the team during months of training across Malta and Gozo.
Alive Charity Foundation was founded in 2013 by a group of cycling enthusiasts who wanted to contribute to cancer prevention and research through their passion for cycling.
Since then, the Alive Charity Foundation organised 11 cycling challenges, through which €920,000 were donated to the University of Malta’s Research Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT) and funded the Children’s Play area at the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre (SAMOC).
The Foundation is now aiming to surpass €1 million in donations following this year’s successful experience, and people may still donate towards this cause via BOV Mobile Pay on +356 9999 9654 or via PayPal: Donate.
The donations are collected by the cyclists through their contacts and long-standing partners that support the Alive Charity Foundation, either in cash or in kind.
This includes VisitMalta, and Transport Malta, that not only supported the cause financially but also provided the necessary protection to ensure that cyclists were safe while training on the road. Transport Malta is also in discussions with the Alive Challenge Foundation to raise awareness and hold safety campaigns about cycling on Maltese roads.
The contribution of Alive Challenge Foundation towards cancer research over the years has received recognition from the University of Malta; Chairman Nicky Camilleri was conferred the Honoris Causa for his unwavering dedication and leadership in advancing cancer research through the efforts of the ALIVE Charity Foundation and, last year, the Elton Barry Ph.D. Scholarship in Cancer Research was launched in honour of founding member Elton Barry, with the support of donors, sponsors, partners, and cycling participants who continuously believe in this cause.