Speaker takes orders for charity

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Louis Galea had to stick to taking orders on Friday night during a charity dinner to raise funds for the construction of an orphanage in Kenya.

Joining him were MPs Evarist Bartolo, David Agius, Owen Bonnici, Helena Dalli and Jason Azzopardi, who all lent a hand in serving pizzas and drinks for the night.

The event was organised by the Kilimanjaro Challenge Team IV, whose mission is to raise €65,000 to subsidise the orphanage.

The Kilimanjaro Challenge team, made up of 14 people from all walks of life, is training hard to make it to the summit of the Kilimanjaro in the first week of September. Before that challenge, they must raise as much money as possible through a number of events that they organise, such as the pizza charity dinner.

The members have been meeting at least three times a week since October to trek together, come rain or shine. The aim is not only to build their physical stamina but also to develop the psychological strength and determination they need to make it to the top of Africa's highest peak.

The Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing mountain in the world with an altitude of 5,891.8 metres. In preparation for the climb, the group recently took part in a training expedition on Mount Etna, Sicily.

The team's next event is a barbecue at Le Meridien Hotel St Julians on Saturday.