The Ladybird Foundation is holding its Nivea 5x5 Challenge this weekend, kicking off with a 75-kilometre kayak feat around Malta and a 16-kilometre open water swim from Għadira Bay to St Julian’s today.

The challenge will tomorrow consist of five endurance events: the kayak and swim legs and a 51-kilometre run, a 45-kilometre walk and a 175-kilometre cycle. Five individuals will take part in each event.

A Kids’ Fun Run and Kids’ Cycle will also take place, with children accompanying the participants during a section of their leg.

The participants have been training for nine months aiming to raise €100,000 for the foundation by the end of the weekend. Most of them are amateurs while others are trying a sport different than the one they usually train for.

The Ladybird Foundation raises money to give terminally or seriously ill children an opportunity to fulfil a dream or to go on vacation with their families, which sometimes is the last opportunity for them to spend quality time together.

It includes a 51km run.

Since it was established three years ago, the foundation has helped 36 children and their families. More children are constantly being referred.

“Everything was so well organised,” said the mother of one child supported by the foundation. “I am so happy that a foundation like this exists. They do their very best to make a wish come true for a child who has been through hell and back, operation after operation… There is nothing nicer in life than to see that special smile on a child’s face, especially a child who is passing through a tough time.”

The Kids’ Cycle event.

Each trip, which costs about €4,000, allows family members to accompany the sick child as they fulfil their dream. Occasionally, it covers the cost of medical support too.

“The cause is one that really motivates you,” said Patrick Tabone, one of the Ladybird Foundation founders and a participating swimmer. “The foundation has helped about 36 children and their families by giving them very special memories. For one kid it might be the opportunity to watch Manchester United and to meet all the players. Another one wanted to go to a particular horse race; he’s blind but he loves to listen to races.

“Very often, these are children who are regularly travelling abroad for treatment and this would be the first time they realise that a plane is not an ambulance, it can take you other places too.”

More information on the Ladybird Foundation and on the Nivea 5x5 Challenge can be found at theladybirdfoundation.org or on their Facebook page.