Bathers yesterday swam for half and hour each during a 12-hour marathon that raised about €2,000 (Lm859) in aid of St Patrick's 'launching pad' project aimed at preparing young boys in institutional care for life's challenges.

During the marathon, organised by Rotaract Malta La Valette, participants swam for 30 minutes each between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Living Well Health Club within the Hilton in Paceville.

The ongoing project aims to raise funds to renovate four rooms to be used by senior boys at St Patrick's School in Sliema, as a semi-independent unit. Works are estimated to cost around €10,000 (Lm4,293).

Rotaract believes not enough is being done to help young people leaving institutional care before the age of 18 and since most of these youngsters cannot depend on family for support, they have to leave and fend for themselves.

The project is a result of co-operation between different groups of young people to help youngsters move smoothly out of institutional care, integrate with society and attempt to address the gap that exists in the system.

For further information, visit www.rotaractmalta.org.