All 25 participants of Razzett tal-Hbiberija’s Ability Challenge 2006 have progressed into their final stages of training.

The event will take place in a natural playground below the Alps Maritimes in the south of France.

Participants will be able to enjoy a variety of adventure sports in a week-long programme, which was put together by Razzett tal-Hbiberija volunteer Andrew Warrington, who is also responsible for the training of participants.

The activities will include mountain trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, canyoneering, paragliding and via ferrata. The aim of the challenge is to heighten awareness of the capabilities of the disabled and to raise funds for Razzett tal-Hbiberija.

Last Sunday, the participants underwent a rock climbing training session at the Victoria Lines, limits of Gharghur. It was the first time in Malta that a blind person, a paraplegic, a person with spina bifida and another person with impaired coordination, have taken part in such an activity.

All four disabled participants have a great sense of adventure and are eagerly awaiting the Ability Challenge week, where they can show their capabilities in extreme sports.

Andrew Warrington is also Malta’s spokesperson for the EU campaign “For Diversity against Discrimination”, which is raising awareness about legislation that makes all forms of discrimination illegal, be it on the grounds of disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or religious beliefs. Further information may be obtained from www.stop-discrimination.info.