Skip to main content

My Journey to the Marathon (3):
The Charitable Cause



Since it's Christmas, today's blog will not be about my running. On Christmas, a special feeling of wanting to do something for others fills the air. Now running the Marathon is mostly pursued for personal reasons, which differ according to the individual. But running it for a charitable cause spices up your motivation to see it through. The feeling of doing it for others, rather than only for yourself, makes it much more beautiful.


This year's official charity is the Maltese NGO Inspire. Quoting directly from their website:
"Inspire helps over 1,000 children and adults with learning and physical disabilities across five centres in Malta and Gozo. Its clients are treated with the utmost care and professionalism through speech therapy, therapeutic horseback riding, occupational therapy and sports therapy, to name very few. There is even a support system for parents. Inspire relies heavily on people's donations to be able to offer its services for free for those who cannot afford such treatment."


A recent article by its President, Lino Spiteri, in the Times of Malta, was a genuine appeal to the Maltese authorities to take note of the financial difficulties this NGO has to face in order to provide for a better quality of life and inclusion of children with disabilities. But let's not just wait for the authorities to help - let's do our part! Grab your mobile phone now, and pledge your donation: help a genuine cause and boost an athlete's moral :)

I'm sure you'll be sending countless SMS this Christmas and New Year, an extra €2 (or more if you can afford) wouldn't make such a big difference to your bank account, but it can make a big difference in these people's lives, and also make my Marathon experience more worth it ;) And after you're done, please, email or share this with your family and friends, and keep the donations pouring in! Every cent goes for Inspire and for the therapy these children and adults need.


"È Natale e a Natale si può fare di più...per noi" - You can do something...for them.


To make a donation, send an SMS to one of the below numbers, with the text "Mark Sammut, Malta Marathon"


50617359 - €2.33
50618080 - €4.66
50618926 - €6.99
50619215 - €11.65


Or


Send them by bank transfer by going through this link. You will receive a notification by email, which I kindly ask you to forward to markasammut@gmail.com so that I can trace the amount donated through me :)



Merry Christmas to all of you and your loved ones!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who's the real monster?

I usually hate comparisons, but some very different reactions from the 'great unthinking' rabble do merit some analysis. In May this year, the notorious dog Star was found buried alive . A prima facie , this looked liked the most horrific case of animal cruelty, and is still considered so by some. The perpetrator was described by the sensitive and caring animal-lovers as a villain, a heartless monster, deserving of death, stoning, or even to be 'buried alive in the same manner'. But what did Mr. Vella actually do, according to the testimony heard in Court? Star was sick. It was shedding fur, and quite old already, and its owner did not afford the treatment. In trying to save some money from paying for the dog to be put to sleep and killed properly by vets, she gave it to Mr. Vella to have it killed himself. Nothing much to make people angry till now. Mercy-killing of very sick and suffering animals is widely done and usually acceptable. You may
17 comments
Read more

Shema Yisrael, the cries of the Palestinian people

You live a peaceful life in a modest home. You've never bothered anyone and you've never caused trouble. Out of the blues, a group of people claim that they should live in your house. Why? Because they have been persecuted in a war, and they claim that some 5,000 years ago, their God had told them your home was their promised land. Somehow, the whole community agrees with their wishes, and asks you to grant them your spare-bedroom. You oblige. After a few months, they take the whole top-floor. In a few year's time, they take over your kitchen. After a few more years, they own your house and keep you and your family locked in the bathroom. They don't even allow you to get out, while they strip-search you the few times they do. Even if it's a medical emergency. Sometimes not even medical personnel and ambulances are allowed to see to your needs while your children die in your hands. Desperation starts hitting you. Life seems to offer no hopes. In moments
10 comments
Read more

Why I am dropping out of the Anti-ACTA protest

Like many avid internet users, I have followed with interest the debate about ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement). After reading numerous articles, watched sensational videos, and discussed ad nauseam with friends, I have realized that what I have come across is a campaign hi-jacked by lies, myths and misconceptions as to rival Malta's misinformed divorce referendum campaign. I have to say that the videos on Youtube   got me worried. I quickly signed the petition, joined the Anti-ACTA groups, and prepared myself for a full-blown fight against the big-governments who want to intrude on our privacy and freedom of expression. Like our MEP Edward Scicluna invited us to do in the University debate last Wednesday, I did not try to understand the details of ACTA but rather saw who the players behind it were. But as usual, my logical instincts took over, and his call to not try to understand ACTA actually pushed me to read the text. And here's what I now know: ACTA is
19 comments
Read more