AFM soldiers take part in 15km march & swim for Puttinu Cares

by Gozo News · January 3, 2014

The C (SD) Company 1 Regt Armed Forces of Malta, an elite company, made of 110 soldiers today took part in a charity event in aid of Puttinu Cares.

The soldiers marched along a 15km route from St Georges Bay, St Julians and then up to St Georges Square, Valletta, in full uniform carrying 20 kg of weight in their back pack. AFM soldiers take part in 15km march & swim for Puttinu Cares Following their stop in Hamrun, C SD Company soldiers marched to St George’s Square Valletta. The March for Puttinu was met by members of the AFM Band including an AFM Backpiper that sounded tunes reminiscent of this time of year.

The Company marched in military formation whilst Puttinu Cares Volunteers collected money from on-lookers that were truly surprised to the sight of soldiers marching for charity. The Company was met with several rounds of applause.

Funds were raised along the route with the assistance of volunteers provided by Puttinu Care Foundation. Once at Msida Creek (near Black Pearl) the soldiers will dare the cold winter waters and swim across to Maritime Squadron base (Haywharf) fully clothed. After the swim they picked up their back packs once again and continued their March up to City Gates Valletta.

Each man that jumped means 500 Euros to children in need. 26 companies donated 500 Euros for this cause giving our boys the new year’s present for their efforts.

These soldiers, are all volunteers to participate in EU LED Crisis Management Operations, most of whom have already deployed in support of KOSOVO AID; EU NAVFOR; EUTM SOMALIA; EUMM GEORGIA; and several FRONTEX deployments.

This company is made up of highly trained and fit young soldiers, who out of their own initiative, came up with the idea to organise a charity event in aid of Puttinu Cares. At the beginning, the event was to take shape in the form of a fun run however these motivated soldiers kept coming up with more ideas and eventually the event was dubbed as March For Puttinu.

An SMS hot line has been initiated and everyone is urged to participate in this noble cause. Each donation is worth ONLY 2 € making this affordable to all.

The public can support this noble cause by donating €2 via a blank SMS on 50617380.