Life Cycle Organisation has just launched its challenge for 2005: Acropolis, The Hard Way – a 1,850km cycle ride by a group of 30 to 40 persons from the Hungarian capital, Budapest to the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. The chosen few will leave Malta on Sunday, 28 August and return to Malta on Friday, 9 September.

Life Cycle has started recruiting cyclists. Applications by those wanting to form part of the 2005 Challenge are being received on the relevant forms, available on www.lifecyclechallenge.com.

Applications for the event – which is a challenge and therefore completing the distance within the allocated time is all important – can also be obtained from St Aloysius College Sports Complex, Birkirkara. For further information, call on 21441502.

Life Cycle Organisation was founded in 1999 with the aim of creating awareness and generating support for patients suffering from end-stage renal failure (chronic kidney disease).

Each year, since 1999, a group of amateur cyclists volunteer to undergo an arduous 16-week training period in order to prepare themselves for the annual challenge.

The aim behind the Life Cycle Challenge is to raise awareness as well as funds for the purchase of equipment for the Renal Unit at St Luke’s Hospital which may be used by those suffering from kidney failure. Life Cycle also works in conjunction with the Organ Transplant Support Group in order to raise awareness about organ transplants.