A record 14,500 people took part in the President’s Charity Fun Run yesterday to spread the message of solidarity and raise money in aid of the annual fundraiser L-Istrina.

A sea of purple covered Valletta at about 11am as thousands of people – wearing the coordinated T-shirts provided by the event’s main sponsor – Banif Bank – walked or jogged into St George’s Square.

Among the purple blur was a small patch of white – representatives of the support group Survivors Malta, set up by Jacob Cachia and his mother, Sarah.

“This walk is everything we stand for. We believe, achieve, succeed,” Ms Cachia said quoting the logo of the charity event.

She went on to add: “My son did all that… and he lived. That determination is making him strive forward.”

The young man survived a rare brain infection he contracted in January. He left hospital in June and, after the experience, he and his family set up the Facebook support page Survivors Malta to encourage survivors and their families to share their experiences to help others.

Members of the group, wearing white T-shirts with the heart logo, took part in the fun run and walked from Casa Leone, in Santa Venera, to St George’s Square.

Balloons, bearing the names of people who succumbed to illnesses, were released after the fun run as a sign of respect. Photos: Chris Sant Fournier

On arrival, the group members released 100 red helium-filled heart-shaped balloons bearing the names of people who did not survive their illnesses.

Jacob will be celebrating his 16 years of life during a birthday party organised at Inspire Foundation in Marsascala today. At the party there will be a large Angry Birds cake themed after the nickname he was given while in hospital when his family urged him to fight his illness like the Angry Birds computer game.

This walk is everything we stand for

“It’s a day we thought would never happen. My Angry Bird is going to turn 16 and become a man,” his mother said adding that he would be doing his “first dance” with people he promised it to while in intensive care.

Jacob Cachia approaching the finish line.

“This birthday party was the thing we looked forward to as hope. It’s arrived now,” Ms Cachia said adding that Jacob would not be receiving birthday presents but guests would be donating money towards Inspire and L-Istrina.

Banif Bank CEO Joaquim Silva Pinto said the fun run, now in its fifth edition, was Banif’s largest social commitment. “Every year, it gives us an emotional kick as we see the altruistic crowd gather in an atmosphere of friendship and solidarity,” he said.

President George Abela said he was glad to see the crowds’ support with 14,500 people taking part compared to 13,800 last year.

At a participation donation of €10 each, this meant at least €145,000 was collected.

Inclement weather loomed over the event but, Dr Abela noted, he and his team continued to believe the weather would clear. His message to the sick or those going through hard times was never to stop believing, no matter what people said.

As if to prove his point, the weather did hold out yesterday morning, with rain starting to fall just as the two-hour event was concluded.

Athletes, led by Dr Abela, started the seven-kilometre long jog from San Anton Palace in Attard to Valletta where they were joined by walkers, who were led by the President’s wife, Margaret.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Nationalist Party deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami (the leader, Simon Busuttil, is abroad) both thanked the President, whose term expires in April.

In a light moment, Dr Muscat described the President as “a man of steel” as he presented him with a cartoon depicting him as a superhero.