Buffon for football marathon on Sunday

Juventus and FIFA World Cup-winning Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who will be in Malta on Sunday, wanted to visit on condition that his trip would be linked to a charity event, said Daniel Vassallo from BetKlass.com, the online betting company that is bringing the champion over.

The goalkeeper's presence has therefore been coordinated to help raise funds for child cancer patients, whose families incur major expenses when they have to undergo medical treatment overseas. His one-day trip will coincide with the third 60-hour Puttinu Football Marathon being held between tomorrow at 10 a.m. and Sunday at 10 p.m.

He will also attend a buffet at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort on Sunday to raise funds for the child oncology ward at St Luke's Hospital.

This will be followed by one hour (2 to 3 p.m.) at the Marsa Sports Ground, the venue of the marathon. The star will then be whisked off to the Juventus Supporters Club, in Fleur De Lys, to meet his fans.

Security measures have been arranged and the organisers appealed to the public to cooperate.

A record 500 football teams will take part in the marathon, said Rennie Zerafa, Wonderland Ward nurse and activities coordinator of the Puttinu Cares Children's Cancer Support Group, which aims to improve the quality of life of the young patients and that of their families.

Every year, about 30 families of child cancer patients have to spend time at London hospitals. They are being put up in two apartments nearby, rented out by Puttinu Cares.

The aim of the event is to raise funds for the eventual purchase of property close to Royal Marsden and possibly Great Ormond Street Hospital, Puttinu president Victor Calvagna, consultant pediatric oncologist at St Luke's Hospital, said.

The two apartments, which accommodate two families each, are conveniently close to Royal Marsden and would avoid major expenses and headaches for the families.

Child cancer leads to serious disruptions in family life and reduction of income, making it even harder to cope with the stress and uncertainty. And the prospect of spending time in a foreign country is often daunting. The football marathon, participation in which is free, is being organised in collaboration with the Malta Sports Council and TV stations. It will be televised live from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the Education Channel on Saturday, while Net TV's Replay at 9.15 p.m. on Sunday will be dedicated to the event. Super One will also pull its weight.

Donations can be made on SMS 5061 7361 for Lm1; 5061 8913 for Lm3; and 5061 9215 for Lm5; and on telephone numbers 5004 9543 for Lm3; and 5004 9545 for Lm5.

Tickets for the Buffon buffet, which cost Lm15 for adults and half for children, are available from the Juventus Vero Amore Supporters Club and BetKlass.com in Sta Venera. Profits from the sales are in aid of Puttinu.