Vitudden's Kanotvarv
Press release
"Kayak for Cancer"
Round the Maltese Archipelago by Kayak
“It was tough but worth it”, this was the feeling of the kayakers when they returned to Marsamxett after an 18 hour kayak around the Maltese Archipelago.
In what is considered to be a first in Maltese kayaking, on Friday, 3rd April, four kayakers paddled around the Maltese islands as part of a series of fund raising events in aid of the Malta Cancer Foundation.
Two teams of kayakers, Dorian J. Vassallo and Albert Gambina, Mark Bugeja and Michael Gellel covered the distance of 60 nautical miles in 18 hours. Starting at 4 a.m. from Marsamxett, the teams paddled south towards Filfla. From there, the next destination was the inland sea in Gozo for a short break before continuing on their arduous journey, returning to Marsamxett at 10 p.m.
This event was the first in this year’s programme of kayak challenges planned in aid of the Malta Cancer Foundation. Last year a group of kayakers paddled from Marsalforn to Pozzallo in Sicily raising over € 30,000 towards the settling up of a palliative care unit at Boffa Hospital. The funds collected this year will also be directed towards this important unit.
Both teams paddled in K2 double kayaks. The Dorian J Vassallo / Albert Gambina team used a Swedish built VKV Anita 2 kayak sponsored by Sullivan Maritime Ltd, whilst Michael Gellel and Mark Bugeja used a Polish built Darek kayak.
The next event is the crossing from Pozzallo in Sicily to the Valletta Waterfront. This will take place in June.
Those wishing to make a donation towards this cause may do so by sending an SMS on 5061 8930 - € 6.99 and 5061 9209 - € 11.65, or direct to the Malta Cancer Foundation at Boffa Hospital.
“Kayak for Cancer” – Qadfa Madwar l-Arcipelagu Malti bil-Kayak
Wara qadfa li hadet tmintax is-siegha, nhar il-Gimgha 4 ta’ April, erba qaddiefa wettqu dak li aktarx hi l-ewwel dawra tal-gzejjer kollha Maltin bil-kayak. Din saret bhala parti minn sensiela ta’ attivitajiet biex jingabru fondi ghal Malta Cancer Foundation.
Wara il-wasla taghhom bil-lejl fil-port ta’ Marsamxett minn fejn telqu kmieni filghodu, iz-zewg timijiet ta’ qaddiefa – Dorian J Vassallo u Albert Gambina, Mark Bugeja u Michael Gellel – kienu ghajjienin imma sodisfatti. “Ix-xhur twal ta’ thejjija swew li nispiccaw ir-rotta kollha ta’ madwar sittin mil nawtiku”, kien il-kumment taghhom. “Minn Marsamxett gbidna lejn Delimara u mbaghad Filfla. Minn hemm qdiefna lejn Ghawdex u waqfna id-Dwejra ghal ftit mistrieh. Komplejna minn hemm bid-dawra ta’ Ghawdex u l-bqija tal-kosta ta’ fuq ta’ Malta”, qalu.
Din kienet l-ewwel qadfa minn tlieta mahsuba biex jghinu il-Malta Cancer Foundation jigbru fondi halli ssir “palliative care unit” fl-isptar Boffa. Ghal dan l-istess ghan, grupp ta’ qaddiefa fl-2008 qasmu bil-kayaks taghhom minn Marsalforn ghal Pozzallo u ingabret is-somma ta’ €30000. F’Gunju li gej l-istess qaddiefa bi hsiebhom jaqsmu minn Pozzallo ghal Valletta Waterfront fil-Port il-Kbir.
Iz-zewg timijiet uzaw kayaks ta’ zewg qaddiefa jew kif tissejjah K2. It-tim ta’ Dorian J Vassallo u Albert Gambina qadfu f’kayak Svediza VKV Anita sponsorjata min Sullivan Maritime Ltd waqt li dik ta’ Mark Bugeja u Michael Gellel hija Darek mibnija il-Polonja.
Min jixtieq jghamel donazzjoni lil-Malta Cancer Foundation jista jibghat SMS fuq 5061 8930 ghal €6.99 jew 5061 9209 ghal €11.65 jew b’cekk direttament lil-Malta Cancer Foundation, Sptar Boffa, Floriana.