The LifeCycle Foundation will be seeking new challenges as it takes on a cycling trip in Australia this year, to collect funds for the Renal Unit.

The challenge, being held in October/November, will see cyclists riding 2,000 kilometres from Brisbane to Melbourne in 11 days.

The challenge is expected to attract a number of cyclists and the organisers also want to involve the Maltese community in Australia.

The money collected will go towards the acquisition of a Plasma electroforated Machine for renal patients.

LifeCycle Organisation is also discussing with the Renal Unit the possibility of setting up of a unit within the Hospice movement to help renal patients and providing financial assistance to kidney donors.

Launching the challenge this afternoon, LifeCycle chairman Alan Curry gave a brief account of the money collected and what it was used for.

Close to €120,000 were collected last year from a number of companies and individuals. This was being spent on specialist equipment for use by renal patients.

LifeCycle also initiated work towards community care for renal patients and engaged a top dietitian on a part-time basis to help renal patients get a better grasp of how to manage their daily diets.

The organisation's mission statement is to help renal patients have a better quality of life.

Once again this year they have organised outings and a trip to Lourdes. Due to their medical condition, patients are  accompanied by nursing staff.

LifeCycle will also be working on the setting up of  a research grant to help scholars carry out further research on renal failure and related issues.

Applications are open and will be received at ChicPhysique Studio, 1 Alfred Craig Street, Pieta on Mondays from 4.30 to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

Donations can be made by sms on 5061 7370 (€2.33), 5061 8920 (€6.99), 5061 9229 (€11.65), or on landlines 5160 2020 (€10), 5170 2005 (€15), 5180 2006 (€25).

Set up in 1999 by Alan Curry, LifeCycle became a foundation last year.

Mr Curry had set up the organisation when his wife suffered kidney failure.

He organised a cycling trip to his home town of Haydon Bridge in the UK to raise funds and awareness about the Renal Unit.

He was accompanied by Tony Bugeja, then head nurse at the unit.

The cycling trip became anan annual event to neighbouring countries and eventually to ones farther away.

Over the past years, more than 30 countries have been visiting and more than €1 million ­have been raised.