Lifecycle Challenge organisers marked World Kidney Day today by launching the 2008 edition that, for the first time in 10 years, will take participants to North Africa. Their aim is to collect funds for the Renal Unit at Mater Dei Hospital.

This year the funds raised from the challenge, that is sponsored by HSBC Insurance, will be used to take Renal Unit patients on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, in France – the location from where the challenge will start off.

Following 17 days of training the dedicated cyclists will be cycling 200 kilometres a day during the challenge which will see them pedal to Casablanca in Morocco between August 14 and 25.

Lifecycle Challenge president Alan Curry said that the event has become established in the sporting calendar and although in these past 10 years they had practically cycled through Europe the cause had always remained the same one – to help renal patients live a better life.

Over the years Lifecycle has helped raise funds to buy equipment for the Renal Unit.

Head Nurse at the Renal Unit Tony Bugeja said that this year funds raised during the challenge will help take renal unit patients on a pilgrimage to Lourdes. He explained that because of their conditions, renal patients found it very difficult to travel as they had to have the medical back up to do so.

President Emeritus Guido De Marco, who suffers from renal problems, praised the Lifecycle initiative that helped so many people like him.

“Just like some people go regularly to a bar, I go regularly to the renal unit. I go there twice a week,” he said. He added that he was a frequent traveller and often travelled to lecture abroad. He was fortunate enough to have connections who helped him get treatment.
Applications for cyclists who wish to participate open on Sunday and can be downloaded from the website www.lifecyclechallenge.com.