Almost €22,000 was raised by the army’s elite squadron and donated to cancer foundation Puttinu Cares.

The donation was presented yesterday after 110 soldiers from the Armed Forces of Malta’s C (Special Duties) Company marched 14 kilometres from St Julian’s to Valletta, each carrying a 20-kilo backpack last week.

The march started from St George’s Bay, past the Love monument in Spinola and into Sliema. The soldiers then stopped at Ta’ Xbiex marina and a group of 26 – each having secured a €500 sponsorship by a business – plunged into the cold water and swam across to Haywharf in Floriana.

The remainder carried on to Valletta, passing through Ħamrun and finishing in St George’s Square, some wearing tops with the names of companies that subscribed to a €50 sponsorship. As they walked down Republic Street, the soldiers were met by the AFM band, which included a piper.

The company marched in military formation until it reached the square to the applause of the public.

Along the walk, volunteers and soldiers from other squadrons collected donations from members of the public.

The idea came about following a visit by the C Company to the Rainbow Ward where they met sick children and the soldiers felt they wanted to “do something small but effective” and give something back to the children.

As a result, they decided to raise money for Puttinu Cares, an organisation that supports families whose children have cancer.