Ultra-endurance athlete Zach Vella is approaching the halfway mark of his extraordinary London-to-Malta run, having covered 1,210  kilometres with 1,489 kilometres to go.

The run, Miles From Home, part of his Homebound project, has already raised €60,000 for YMCA Malta, to help people experiencing homelessness.

On Tuesday, Vella crossed into Italy a full day ahead of schedule, marking a significant moment in the mission as he began the descent towards Malta.

The milestone comes after one of the most challenging stretches of the journey so far, a dramatic and physically demanding crossing through the Swiss Alps.

The toughest day of the run came just before entering Italy, during a crossing of the Albula Pass in Switzerland, one of the most remote and unforgiving sections of the route.

Faced with knee-deep snow covering approximately 18 kilometres, Vella pressed on through terrain that was completely unmarked and devoid of human presence. With the support vehicle unable to reach him, he and a crew member, Daniel, continued alone for several hours, navigating extreme conditions and avalanche risk.

Although a train route was available to bypass the pass, Vella chose to continue on foot to preserve what he described as "the purity of the mission".

The support team was forced to drive over two hours around the mountain to reconnect with them on the other side.

"It was scary but beautiful," said Vella. "We were deep in the high Alps, in the snow. There was a road that wasn't maintained so we had to separate from the van and go up the Albula Pass alone. It was a bit scary at points because we're not accustomed to these surroundings. Sometimes we were knee-deep in the snow and had to help each other out. There was nobody there, it was completely evacuated."

"When we saw the van again, it was very emotional. It felt like seeing a home. It made me reflect on people who sleep outside exposed to these conditions. And what it must feel like to them to finally get an actual home."

Despite earlier concerns around knee and calf strain in the lead-up to the run, Vella is currently in strong physical condition and gaining momentum.

"We're feeling strong and getting stronger. I feel like I'm getting fitter," he said.

The team also overcame technical challenges along the way, including electrical issues with the support vehicle, which were resolved by the crew while Vella continued through the mountains.

Now descending into Italy, the journey enters a new phase, both geographically and symbolically, as Vella continues towards Malta with growing support behind him.

The run aims to raise funds and awareness for YMCA Malta's services supporting vulnerable individuals, including those experiencing homelessness.

With nearly half the distance now complete and €60,000 already raised, the mission continues to gather pace, powered by resilience, purpose, and a growing community of supporters.

The challenge aims to raise €120,000 for YMCA Malta to support and expand its services for individuals experiencing homelessness and vulnerability, including the Drop-In Centre, Ċentru Albert Degiorgio.

Donations can be made at https://homebound.mt or via Revolut on 79306655.

More information about the run can be found at linktr.ee/homebound.mt.