Updated: More than €10,000 collected in penitential walk from Mellieha to Senglea

Around 10,000 euros were collected in an initiative which saw some 850 people walking or running from Mellieha to Senglea last night.

The initiative, which started as one man's penitential walk six years ago swelled to a pilgrimage with hundreds of people last night.

Participants included football referees, triathlon runners, cyclists and a blind man with his German Shepard companion. The youngest participant was eight, the oldest 72.

They walked from the Sanctuary of Our Lady in Mellieha to pray before the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Senglea in an activity which started at 2 a.m. and continued beyond dawn.

Joseph Vella, who started the walk, was soon joined by a group of friends. Just over 400 took part in the walk last year, their number continuing to grow last night.

"The response has been simply overwhelming, people have not stopped phoning to say they will take part," Charles Fenech, who helped organise last night's event, said when contacted yesterday.

The event was well organised, with water stations available along the route and free transport provided back to Mellieha. A medical team and an ambulance were on standby and clubs along the route stayed open to give assistance.

Another group of seven runners from St Patrick's Athletic Club took part in a slightly different way. They started at 1 a.m. from Cirkewwa but extended their route to a 40 kilometre+ circuit and ran all the way to Senglea.

One of the group, a hairdresser, also collected money from clients at his salon and made an additional 500 euros.

The local councils of Mellieha and Senglea collaborated in the event.

Mellieha mayor Robert Cutajar said this morning that a substantial donation was made by Freeport employees.

Mellieha and Senglea have a common link in that both their parishes are dedicated to Our Lady of Victories. 

Funds collected during the walk will be donated to Puttinu Cares.