The eighth edition of the 50-hour bicycle marathon will be in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi and will be held at the Lyceum Dun Guzepp Zammit (Brighella) of Hamrun between 23 and 25 March.

The marathon will start on 23 March at 12.30pm from the Boys’ Lyceum in Sliema with a group of students who will cycle to the Hamrun school where the marathon will continue until 25 March.

The theme of the marathon is “From children to children”. The aim is to foster in the students a sense of solidarity towards youngsters in need, and to raise money for Dar tal-Providenza to start a project of refurbishment at one of the homes, Villa Papa Luciani.

Other activities during the marathon will include variety shows every evening on stage, featuring leading singers and artists, including Freddie Portelli.

Donations may be made through Bank Accounts HSBC 023140569050 and BOV 40012585201 and SMS (Lm2) 50618092.

In all, the bicycle marathon has raised more than Lm58,000 since 1994. The first two editions raised more than Lm8,000 in aid of Caritas. During the third and fourth edition, more than Lm19,000 in aid of the Institute of Brain Injured Children was raised.

In 2004, a cheque for over Lm10,000 was presented to the President of Malta in aid of children suffering from cancer, under the patronage of the Malta Community Chest Fund.

In 2005, the Lyceum donated another Lm10,000 – Lm7,000 to the Muscular Dystrophy Group, Lm2,000 to the Equal Partners’ Foundation and Lm500 each to St Francis de Paule Institute, Birkirkara and the St Theresa Institute of Zurrieq. Last year, Lm8,220 was donated to the Dar tal-Providenza and Lm4,000 was donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Group.