There’s ‘The Baron’, ‘The Dreamer’, ‘The Rookie’ and ‘The Trouble’ – a team of ordinary people about to embark on a superhuman charity mission.
The four bartenders, real names Abison De Giorgio, Jerry Mallia, Aleksey Oleinik and Ana-Maria Pasare, will begin a non-stop 40-hour shift on Monday to raise funds for Puttinu Cares, which helps children with cancer.
If they make it to the end, they will enter the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest time spent standing and serving behind a bar.
During their 40-hour shift at MedAsia Fusion Lounge in Sliema, they will not be allowed to sit or lean against the bar, nor go for a cigarette break, and even toilet breaks will be limited to two minutes.
“Definitely the short toilet breaks will be the hardest part,” joked Mr Mallia, aka ‘The Dreamer’.
But thanks to generous sponsorship, there is a packed programme of entertainment to keep them occupied from the moment their shift begins at 7.45pm on Monday till it ends at noon on Wednesday.
This includes a live performance by Miss Roberta and DJ Rebel B on Tuesday night and daytime parties sponsored by drinks companies.
And there will be no chance of them sneaking away for quiet time: the rules dictate that at least two customers must be in the bar at all times and cameras have been set up to ensure they don’t cheat.
The team members were given their nicknames by Mr ‘Baron’ De Giorgio, who organised the “40 Hour Stand” event.
He explained that Mr Mallia earned his alias because “his head is in the clouds” while Mr Oleinik is “The Rookie” because he is still only 17 years old.
And Ms Pasare?
“She’s just trouble,” laughed Mr De Giorgio.
Born in Malta to a Seychellois mother and Maltese father, Mr De Giorgio lived in the Seychelles for eight years and organised a “30 Hour Stand” that raised over €20,000 for a children’s charity at the bar he owned there.
“We aim to raise more at this event because we will be working for 10 hours longer and the Maltese are famously big-hearted,” he said.
The team will set a good example to donors by working the whole 40 hours – a week’s work – for free. Their wages will be paid directly to Puttinu Cares.
Mr De Giorgio returned to Malta last July initially for a holiday but he made friends with staff at MedAsia and was employed temporality as bar manager.
When he told the staff about the 30 Hour Stand in the Seychelles they encouraged him to do the same in Malta.
Mr De Giorgio said he handpicked the 40 Hour Stand team for their different qualities and they all accepted the challenge without hesitation.
And they are taking their commitment very seriously – every night after their shifts they have been going on long walks through Sliema and St Julian’s to improve their endurance and bond as a team.
During the event they will be eating small portions of specially prepared food that will help keep their strength up – and prevent any lengthy toilet breaks.
And they will also drink the odd tipple to help the time pass more quickly; “doctors get bloody hands, mechanics get covered in oil, bartenders can’t avoid a drink,” Mr De Giorgio joked.
Call fixed lines 5160 2007 to donate €10; 5170 2006to donate €15; 5180 2008 to donate €25;or SMS 5061 7380 to donate €2.33. Cheques to Puttinu Cares Foundation can be dropped in the charity box at MedAsia on The Strand, Sliema. Visit www.facebook.com/40hrstand.