"Our Moon is like a 'light' that brightens up the often dark and painful days of these children. The quality time we offer these families is beyond reach, and the valuable memories of a Beyond the Moon holiday means more than the 'light' that brightens up their life."
A man will be rowing single-handed from Sicily to Malta in aid of two charities that support children with cancer.
Daniel Abela will embark on his challenge on June 19, rowing from Pozzallo in Sicily to the Valletta Waterfront.
"A couple of years ago I started an initiative to raise funds while doing stunts which some may find extreme, or amusing," said Mr Abela.
"This year, I will attempt to row single-handedly from Sicily to Malta - a stretch of 100 kilometres expected to take from three to four days at sea.
"As a modern day 'Colombus' equipped with a rowing boat, food and water for a few days and a compass, I will try to make my own way back home."
His aim is to raise funds for the Puttinu Children's Cancer Support Group, which strives to improve the quality of life of young cancer patients, and Beyond the Moon, which pays for dream holidays for terminally ill children and their parents in an effort to alleviate some of their hardships.
The initiative is supported by the Vodafone Malta Foundation.
At a press conference organised at Heat at the Valletta Waterfront, Ġemma Mifsud Bonnici, chairman of the foundation, said: "The Vodafone Malta Foundation believes in providing opportunities for children so they may find courage to face life's challenges.
"Our organisation has always supported such good initiatives but this time round we, together with Daniel Abela, are organising this activity to celebrate this year's Vodafone Foundation Family Day. We hope the public will react positively and we wish Daniel best of luck."
Sandra Chetcuti, sponsor ambassador for Beyond the Moon in Malta explained that Beyond the Moon offers children suffering from a life-threatening disease, and their families, the opportunity of spending valuable quality time together and to enjoy a memorable, cost-free and carefree holiday in a child-friendly environment far away from hospitals and daily treatments.
"Our Moon is like a 'light' that brightens up the often dark and painful days of these children. The quality time we offer these families is beyond reach, and the valuable memories of a Beyond the Moon holiday means more than the 'light' that brightens up their life."
Victor Calvagna, president of the Puttinu support group, said the group relies heavily on the generosity of individuals and organisations who find the time and the resources to help.
Both thanked Mr Abela and the Vodafone Foundation for their invaluable support.
Grace Spiteri, mother of 14-year-old Margaret who passed away recently following her fight against leukaemia, recalled how happy Margaret was during her holiday in Florida, US, made possible through Puttinu Cares and Beyond the Moon. "Margaret lived again for five days in Florida. She completely forgot about her terminal illness and lived her dream to the full. We couldn't give Margaret this holiday without the support we got and, while thanking the Vodafone Malta Foundation for embarking on such an initiative, we encourage everyone to help us collect money for our children."
The public is being asked to make donations payable to either Puttinu Childrens' Cancer Support Group or Beyond the Moon and send them to Mr Abela, 217/1, 21st September Avenue, Naxxar NXR 1013.