A group of about 70 boys pedalled from Valletta to their school in Ħamrun yesterday as they kicked off the 11th edition of a bike marathon in aid of Dar tal-Providenza and the Malta Hospice Movement.

The marathon, organised by the Ħamrun Boys' Junior Lyceum, which forms part of the St Ġorġ Preca College, has already raised €250,000 since it was first organised in 1994.

Paul Calleja, a teacher at the school and one of the organisers, said the aim was to fund structural work at Villa Papa Giovanni, within Dar tal-Providenza, in Siġġiewi, and buy equipment for cancer patients.

He said the €71,000 collected during the last two editions of the marathon went towards construction works at Villa Papa Giovanni and the yard where founder Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi was buried.

Speaking to the participants in front of his office at the Auberge de Castille in Valletta, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said he was pleased that young generations were giving importance to the two organisations that did a lot of good for the country.

The marathon continues at the school until Sunday evening with various activities, including a plant shop, a science exhibition, a chocolate fountain, a photography exhibition and a children's area.

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