A charity hike across Gozo, took place in perfect weather last Saturday, in aid of the Santa Rita Children’s Home in Malta.

The hike, orgainsed by Louis Debattista, was 19.6km from Mgarr, to Dwejra and took almost 7 hours including stops along the way and 13 people took part.Louis said that the youngest hiker was a 9-year old Nicole Camilleri from Qala, who, Louis said, was full of determination to make it all the way to Dwejra, as well as 13-year old Luciana Debattista. and the oldest hiker was a 71-year old man.

They met up with cyclists who had travelled to join them from Malta. In Xlendi four more youngsters joined the group for te remainder of the hike.

The ‘Secrets’ bus driver picked everyone up from Dwejra at the end of the hike and took them back to Mgarr at no charge and Louis gave his thanks to ‘Sammy’ for this very welcome ride at the end of the hike!

The Stearns Family, who moved to Qala from New York, along with their Greater Swiss Mountain dog, Otto… took part in the hike, this is how they described their day.

“It was a perfect day yesterday for a 7 hour hike across half the island! So much fun…so many beautiful sites…lots of challenges…wonderful fellow hikers and the best tour guide on Gozo… Gozo-Greyhounds Louis! Thanks Louis for another amazing day! A huge thanks also to Adele for not only meeting us in Xlendi with more water and delicious oranges, but also bringing us yummy pizzas at the end of the hike in Dwejra! We missed having you with us on the whole hike, but we are eternally grateful to have seen your smiling face at stops along the way!”

“Oh and for those of you who haven’t been here yet, check out the map…we started in Mgarr and hiked all along the coastline, past Ghajnsielem, Ta’ Cenc, Sannat, Munxar, Xlendi, Santa Lucija, and then around the cliffs to Dwejra Bay!”

Louis said that he thanks everyone who joined in last week for the very enjoyable hike and if anyone wants to donate to the orphanage they can write a check to ‘Santa Rita Home’ and mail it to “The Dusty House” Triq Ta Cini, Qala-Gozo…QLA2020 or call 99609845.

“I will be matching all donations so any amount you donated will be doubled. Please join us to help provide these 18 kids with resources for after school tutoring, instruments for music lessons, for transportation when they need to go somewhere or take them on outings,” Louis said.

He added, “you will make a difference I know, because I was one of them. Today I thank God, the nuns, and the priests for where I am today. The voice in my heart tells me just to keep going until someone opens those doors and invites you in.”

Louis said, “just from the hike we collected €370, which as I promised to match that, meaning that so far €740 has been donated. I was hoping that if each church for each village could do one collection in the church and then write a cheque for the home it will help out a lot. We do so much for other countries that need it, so why not for this place that needs it as well?”

“On the 8th of December we are doing a bike ride in Malta and any Gozo cyclists are welcome to join me and we’ll meet up with the Maltese riders, this is also in aid of the Santa Rita Home. In December there will be a Christmas dinner party for these kids in Malta. Anyone who wants to help out is welcome,” Louis concluded.

For more information, please contact Louis through the Gozo-Greyhounds facebook page, or email him on louismalti@aol.com.

Photographs at the top by the Stearns Family.

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