€10,000 was raised on Sunday morning during the 20th edition of the Thomas Smith Charity Swim in aid of The Malta Community Chest Fund.

The amount collected was made up of €7,000 from swimmer’s family and friends while Thomas Smith topped up and rounded up the amount to €10,000.

This means that the group has raised over €120,000 in donations over the last 20 years.

Just over 233 swimmers of all ages braved the wind and cold winter sea in Sliema on Sunday morning to raise funds for charitable causes. 79 females and 154 male swimmers took part in this year’s charity swim.

In a brief address to the swimmers before they jumped into the cold sea, President Marie Louise ColeiroPreca thanked everyone for their support to the Malta Community Chest Fund. She commended Thomas Smith Group for organising the Charity Swim on an annual basis and thanked the Company for contributing towards the final amount donated. The President presented medals to all the participating swimmers after they completed the swim.

The swimmers varied in age: 2-year-old Sami Hagos was the youngest registered participant this year. The eldest swimmer during the 20th edition of The Thomas Smith Charity Swim was Wilfred Pirotta, who is 82-years-old.

Joe Gerada, together with Liana Cachia, Group HR & Marketing Director, and organiser of the Thomas Smith Christmas Charity Swim, will present the cheque to President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca at San Anton Palace on 14 January 2019.

The 2018 Thomas Smith Charity Swim was supported by the Sliema Local Council, the Malta Police Force, the Civil Protection Department, Malta Red Cross, Emergency and Fire Rescue Unit, Għaqda Dilettanti SajdSliema, Vertex Vending Services, Drinks n’ More, H2Only, Deejay Arthur Garrett, WAVA, HIVE, Karl Borg Events, Transient Light & Sound, Giorgio's, Cara’s, Clyde Dolceria, Wallace Pipe Band,Golden Gate, Resolve Consulting, as well as many other supporters. 

Held every year since 1999 under the patronage of the President of the Republic, this year marks the twentieth edition of the Thomas Smith Charity Swim.

 

Thomas Smith is a group of companies offering a diversified portfolio of services in shipping, logistics, and insurance. Thomas Smith Group leverages Malta’s strategic location to provide a host of professional and logistics services for individuals, SME’s and industry.

 

Photos: Luke Zerafa