Vodafone Malta Foundation will be going Strait to Africa by supporting two participants in this year's challenge organised annually by the LifeCycle organisation. Audrick Plum, a member of the backup team and part of the logistics team and cyclist Claudine Gatt will leave for Africa on August 14 with the 60-strong contingent. The team is busy preparing bikes, bike parts, kitchen equipment and medical equipment to be loaded onto a container on Wednesday night and driven up to Lourdes on a custom fitted truck. The cyclists will cover over 2,200 kms from Lourdes to Casablanca.

The LifeCycle challenge was launched to highlight the plight of patients suffering from end-stage renal disease. LifeCycle Organisation is a voluntary non-profit organisation that also promotes organ donation by organising events and campaigns. Life Cycle also encourages people to carry a donor card.

"The LifeCycle Challenge has now become an established annual event that mobilises young people into embarking on a journey of philanthropy and physical endurance," said Gemma Mifsud Bonnici, Chairperson at Vodafone Malta Foundation. "We encourage the generous Maltese public to make precious donations towards a good cause".

Donations can be made via blank SMS on 5061 7378 for €2.33, 5061 8927 for €6.99 and 5061 9219 for €11.65. Donations may also be made via Internet at https://www.ecommercemalta.com/merchants/lifecycle/lifecycle.htm. Alternatively cheques or postal orders may be mailed to Life Cycle Org., c/o Renal Unit, Mater Dei Hospital, Malta. Direct transfers can be made to the HSBC (Malta) Account: 06 11 987 920 50Bank of Valletta Account: 148 14 52 1017. For further information or for donations, one may also visit www.lifecyclechallenge.com.