More than 350 children from disadvantaged backgrounds received a Christmas treat on Thursday as taxi drivers came together to ferry them around for a day of fun activities.

The Malta Charity Taxi Ride, an annual event that has taken place for 35 years, saw more than 80 drivers pick up children from care homes around the island, their cars decked out with bright balloons for the event.

The children first headed to breakfast at the Esplora Science Centre in Kalkara before travelling to the Splash and Fun Park, where various activities had been prepared, and ending their day with a party at Lufthansa Technik, for which President Marie- Louise Coleiro Preca also put in an appearance.

Along the way, they got to experience a ride in vintage Maltese buses and a game of football with top players.

The smiles on the children’s faces throughout makes it worth it

Clayton Cauchi, one of the drivers who took part, said the event had been a huge success and that the children had all enjoyed their day. “I make it a point to take part every year; the smiles on the children’s faces throughout makes it worth it,” he said, thanking all the individuals and companies that made the day possible.

The day hit a slight speedbump when four of the cars were involved in a bumper-to-bumper collision in Marsa, slightly injuring three children. None required hospitalisation. Organisers stressed that drivers had been escorted by traffic police throughout and that nobody was seriously hurt, with the children later continuing with their day as planned.

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