CYCLING TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CANCER RESEARCH

Hobbies:
Cycling

Is this your first time doing the challenge?
No, this is my 12th time.

What motivated you to do the challenge and when you're at breaking point, what keeps you going?
I have had quite a few health problems, including a massive stroke and 3 heart attacks. After surviving events like those, I try to make sure other people can survive and reap benefits.

Are you married? Any children?
Married + 2 boys.

Any hobbies? Other sport activities?
Hobbies. Cycling. Other activities, taxi driver taking kids to football training.

Why did you apply for the ALIVE2025 Cycling Challenge?
This is my sixth Alive Cycling challenge. I applied cause it's a nice feeling when you're doing something to help others.

How are you preparing for the ALIVE2025 Cycling Challenge?
Preparation it's not that difficult as long as you enjoy Cycling.

Do you believe Research is important? Why?
Research is very important cause without Research not even a simple Panadol would be available.

How do you plan to collect donations/sponsors?
It's not easy for me to collect sponsors, but I take it as part of the challenge.

How can people support you?
People can support by donating money..

Anything else you'd like to share?
Il message tieghi lil kulhadd hu li qatt ma tridu taqtghu qalbkom u tibqghu tiggildu mal problemi ghax bhal ma dejjem nghid la jirnexxieli nitla muntanja jien bir rota li hafif miniex kulhadd jista jitla basta ma taqtax qalbek. Din toghod ghal hafna aspetti fil hajja.

Hobbies:
Football, travelling, hanging out and cycling

Is this your first time doing the challenge?
This is my 2nd Alive, with the 1st being predominantly on backup duties.

What motivated you to do the challenge and when you're at breaking point, what keeps you going?
I am someone who loves giving a helping hand and Alive's main aim is a noble cause. I keep going, knowing what I endure due to training and fatigue, is very petty compared to the physical and psychological distress cancer patients and their families go through.

Hobbies:
Cycling & Walking

Is this your first time doing the challenge?
This is the 3rd ALIVE Cycling challenge for me.

What motivated you to do the challenge?
The courage and outlook on life shown by cancer patients and survivors are inspiring.

When you're at breaking point, what keeps you going?
Our sacrifices in preparation pale in comparison to what cancer patients endure during and after treatment.

A bit about yourself:
I'm married and have one daughter.

Is this your first time doing the challenge?
This is my second time doing the challenge. Following my first attempt for the Alive 2024 challenge, it was a one-of-a-kind experience, and I could not bear the thought of not taking part in this year’s event.

How has your experience been since your first Alive challenge?
Over the past year, I have continued to meet up with my cycling group for Sunday leisure rides and weekend cycling trips abroad and now treasure every moment spent with great friends!

What are you looking forward to in this year's challenge?
I look forward to this year’s Alive Cycling Challenge 2025 as I see new faces joining, including my daughter Martina, who has decided to take on the challenge and participate.

Why is this cause important to you?
Having experienced a challenging moment with a brain tumor some years back allows me to recognize certain difficulties patients go through when dealing with this dreadful disease.

In my case, the outcome was successful but not without years of research beforehand. I am therefore privileged to play my part in contributing through The Alive Charity Foundation to make a difference for future cancer patients.

Do you have a message for the public?
I thank all of my sponsors and supporters and urge the public to DONATE to this great cause.

In the meantime, I need to keep pedaling!!

Is this your first time doing the challenge?
This is my third time

What motivated you to do the challenge?
As a cancer survivor, I was grateful for the support I received, and now I pay it forward.

When you're at breaking point, what keeps you going?
When fundraising becomes challenging, I persevere by cycling, embracing my passion and assisting others in need.

Are you married? Any children?
Single

Any hobbies? Other sport activities?
Running, swimming, football, tennis, and gym

Why did you apply for the ALIVE2025 Cycling Challenge?
I applied for the ALIVE2025 Cycling Challenge because I wanted to push my limits while contributing to a cause that truly matters. Cancer affects so many lives, and I believe that through this challenge, I can make a real difference by supporting vital research that saves lives.

How are you preparing for the ALIVE2025 Cycling Challenge?
I am currently following a structured training plan to build my stamina and efficiency on the bike. My training includes:
Long-distance outdoor rides to simulate challenge conditions
Indoor training on rollers to improve balance and cadence
Strength and conditioning workouts to build resilience for multi-day cycling
Nutrition planning to ensure proper fueling during intense rides

Do you engage in any voluntary work?
Through ALIVE, I am dedicating my time to fundraising and awareness initiatives to support cancer research. I believe in giving back to the society, and this challenge allows me to combine my passion for cycling with a meaningful cause.

Do you believe Research is important? Why?
Absolutely! Research is the foundation of medical breakthroughs. Without it, treatments and cures wouldn’t exist. Funding cancer research means better early detection, improved treatments, and ultimately, more lives saved. It’s an investment in the future.

What does cancer research and supporting this cause mean to you personally?
Supporting cancer research is more than just raising funds—it’s about giving hope to patients and families who are fighting this battle. I want to be part of this charity foundation in order to create a world with better treatment options and, one day, a cure.

How do you plan to collect donations/sponsors?
I am actively reaching out to potential sponsors, businesses, and individuals who are willing to contribute to this cause.

How can people support you?
People can support me by donating directly to my ALIVE2025 fundraising campaign or contact me on 79474121. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, makes a difference.

Anything else you'd like to share?
I believe that every challenge, whether physical or mental, is an opportunity to grow. To everyone reading this—never underestimate what you’re capable of. Let’s ride for a cause and make a difference together!

Are you married? Any children?
Not Married - No children

Any hobbies? Other sport activities?
Hobbies I love to cook - Other sport activities I played football from a very young age of 6 and stopped at 31. I always took it professionally but then for family health reasons I had to stop. I miss its commitment everyday but decided to keep playing occasionally in non professional formats.

Why did you apply for the ALIVE2025 Cycling Challenge?
Unfortunately I lost my Dad in 2024 due to cancer and I made him a promise that I will keep helping others less fortunate like him, in every POSSIBLE manner.

List any challenges that you did in the past, not necessarily Alive challenges?
I did two cycling charity 120km rides for Istrina 2023 and Istrina 2024 from Marsaxlokk to ta Pinu Bazilika in Gozo and back, managing to gather around EUR 12,000 over two years.

How are you preparing for the ALIVE2025 Cycling Challenge?
I am preparing mostly by carrying out the allocated training schedule cycling on the road, but planning to hit the gym for indoor strengthening exercises very soon.

Do you believe Research is important? Why?
I do believe that research is important and must be carried out to keep searching for new opportunities. Maybe technology will get us somewhere someday against this mighty killer.

What does cancer research and supporting this cause mean to you personally?
I have huge rage inside me due the recent heavy loss of my dad and I need to blow off steam in doing events for a good worthy cause. I am doing this to keep my promise I made to my dad before he died, that of helping others less fortunate like him, in every POSSIBLE manner.

How do you plan to collect donations/sponsors?
Promoting the event on social media.

· Do you have any relatives who are experiencing/experienced cancer? - I lost my Dad due to cancer.

How can people support you?
People will support me because those who knew my dad, they knew how much he suffered at a very young age. I believe that everyone is scared of this word 'cancer' and I believe that it's everyone's dream that someday someone tells us there is a vaccine anti-cancer. As Maltese I also believe that we are very generous where it comes to these circumstances of charity.

Anything else you'd like to share?
I started cycling and bought my first bike during Covid, as a stress buster during restrictions. Now it's becoming a lifestyle, and I am converting the cycling hobby into doing these noble gestures like this ALIVE challenge and previous Istrina cycling charity 120km rides, which I promised Malta Community Chest Fund that I will remain doing each year until my legs cannot do it anymore. Together we strive to make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer.