Penitence walk for children battling cancer

Walking 27 kilometres in the middle of the night cannot be easy. But almost 4,000 people managed to walk this distance last night raising €46,200 for children battling cancer. They took part in the 10th edition of the Good Friday walk – starting from Mellieha at 2am. This was the fourth year that the walk has been organised to raise funds for Puttinu Cares. As people trickled into Senglea, at about 6.30am, some went to pray in the parish church. Outside, the participants were visibly exhausted – some even limped because their shoes hurt them. But, many said, the sense of satisfaction numbed any discomfort. Oliver Tanti, one of the organisers, said that, 10 years ago, the walk started off as a “walk for penitence” by a man called Joseph Vella and his in-law. Since then, each year, more and more people joined in. Four years ago the organisers decided to turn the event into a fundraiser and participation increased further. Last year about 1,700 people joined - and the number doubled this year. “I think they do it as a Good Friday sacrifice and some take it on as a challenge and a way to help others,” he said.