Whether by land or sea, the ultimate aim is charity

About Lm5,500 were collected for the Puttinu Cares Children's Cancer Support Group when a number of athletes from all walks of life and various sporting backgrounds braved the elements and crossed the three islands and back in what was called the Puttinu Challenge For A Smile.

The activity involved a 70- kilometre cycle, a 3.6- kilometre swim, canoeing for 10 kilometres and running for 16 kilometres - all in a day's work and for charity.

The money collected is for Wonderland ward at St Luke's Hospital, which hosts child oncology patients.

Over 40 athletes left the Alfresco restaurant starting point in Birzebbuga on mountain bikes, making their way to Marfa. As they approached Qormi, the heavens opened up, just to make the challenge that bit harder, organiser and participant Mark Bugeja said. However, the athletes were undeterred, and tackled the Mellieha hills with determination.

The next step was for a fleet of 25 canoes to row to Santa Marija Bay in Comino, accompanied by two army patrol boats and some dinghies. Once there, the 18 athletes beached their canoes and changed into their wet suits to attempt the 1,800-metre swim across to Gozo in strong winds, cold water and jellyfish.

On arrival at Hondoq ir-Rummien, the weather took a turn for the worse, with thunder, lightning and rain, Mr Bugeja said. But the group was not hindered in its 16-kilometre run to Victoria and back.

The swimmers then slipped into their cold wet suits and jumped into the high seas, knowing that jellyfish stings and waves would make the swim back even harder. Meanwhile, the rest of the Puttinu challengers were in their canoes, leading the way and shouting words of encouragement.

Once on Comino, the swimmers jumped into their canoes again and started the last leg of the sea trip towards Marfa, where they changed back into their cycling gear to take on the 35-kilometre trip home.

The participants had been training for three months prior to the challenge, fitting in about five hours of running, five of cycling, three of canoeing and a couple of swimming every week. At the weekends, they cycled together from Birzebbuga to Marfa and back, while putting in a couple of hours of swimming and canoeing.

It was a face-painting session at Wonderland which made one of the organisers, who is an artist, decide it would be a good idea to raise funds and awareness for the ward.

"The team at Wonderland are doing a great job to help the families of children suffering from cancer during these hard times," a spokesman for the organizers said.