A number of the cyclists taking part in this year’s Life Cycle challenge were stopped by Albania’s police as they were cycling to the capital, Tirana, because the area through which they were cycling was not a tourist area and this made the police suspicious.

This hitch did not deter the team of cyclists from continuing their journey. They covered a distance of 100 kilometres yesterday and although they are suffering both physical and psychological stress, their morale is still very high.

This is the seventh year that the challenge has been organised and it involves 37 cyclists, accompanied by a medical team of two physiotherapists and a doctor, two cooks and even translators. The whole team will be making a journey of 1,850 kilometres spread over 10 days and crossing over the borders of four countries.

The group left Malta on 28 August and will return on 9 September.

The aim of the cycling challenge, which is crossing from Budapest to Athens, is to collect funds for the renal unit at St Luke’s Hospital.

Donations can be made through Life Cycle’s website or by sending an SMS to 5061-7351 for a Lm1 donation, 5061-8928 for a Lm3 donation or 5061-9208 for a Lm5 donation. Otherwise, people may deposit money in the following accounts: HSBC 61141628050 and Bank of Valletta 14814521017.

Air Malta assists Life Cycle Challenge

This is the seventh consecutive year that Air Malta is assisting the Life Cycle Challenge.

A spokesman for the airline said: “Air Malta is, as always, proud to be associated with Life Cycle and its noble intention to collect funds for the Renal Unit at St Luke’s Hospital. The airline’s participation in this and similar activities highlights Air Malta’s position as the airline which is really ‘committed to our community’.

Air Malta wishes the whole contingent success in achieving the aim of this remarkable initiative.”

The team travelled on Air Malta.