Meet The Two Maltese Men Running 200km For Kids After Overcoming Their Own Challenging Childhoods
When Daniel Abela and Claudio Camilleri announced they’d be running 200km to raise money for vulnerable children, it wasn’t because they hated their legs.
With both Maltese men having overcome different challenges in their childhoods, they are keenly aware of the difference that real support can make to a kid who needs it, and they spoke to Lovin Malta ahead of this weekend’s gruelling challenge about why the Children In Need project is so important.
“When I was nine, my parents separated and despite the fact that both did their utmost to keep things as normal as possible, I found myself having to grow up faster and carry responsibilities at a very young age,” Daniel tells Lovin Malta.
“I also found myself having difficulty to digest and come to terms with what happened. Sadness turned into anger and subsequently into remorse, which I carried with me for a long number of years since therapy was non-existent and the matter had a sense of shame,” he continued. “Luckily my parent’s love never ceased till their last breath.”
“As I grew older I started to feel the responsibility, even the need to give children who go through adversity from a tender age, a better chance at life. This is the reason why this project is so close to my heart as it hits right home and the arrival of my daughter only made this feeling even more pronounced.”
Daniel Abela
For Claudio, things were a little different.
“At the age of 11, my parents decided to start welcoming a three-year old child at home,” he recounts.
“Back then he was living in care, and whilst feeling apprehensive, the idea of a brother in the family was exciting to me.”
“Over the years I have seen my parents dedicate immense amounts of love towards him and this has been very inspirational. They would talk to him and provide him with advice just like they did with me and my other two eventual brothers. Today I consider having three brothers.”
Their unique experiences have led the pair to develop a keen sense of empathy with children – and in their words, “every child deserves a childhood, protected from danger and cared for”.
“It is our responsibility as adults to ensure this. Since not all children are as lucky, we are doing our best to offer these children and their carers the best possible tools to help them cope and come to terms with their life realities.”
Over two days this weekend, Sunday 30th April, and Monday 1st May, the pair will take on the 1Run 1Childhood ultra run at The Matthew Micallef St John Athletics Stadium, Marsa, and the goal is to entice companies and people to contribute generously to see this project through for the next three years.
The money is being raised to fund regular therapy sessions for each child living at Fondazzjoni Sebħ.
“The team at Fondazzjoni Sebħ expressed how important the therapy provided to these children is. I recognise that therapy is another means to equip the children with tools that are similar to the ones provided by my parents to my brothers and myself,” Camilleri said.
“Since Paula, my wife, and I had our two daughters, I have become more sensitive towards the importance of how children are brought up and hence trying to assist other children is something that motivates me.
Now, taking on a 200km ultra run is no joke at all – but for Daniel and Claudio, the kids come first.
“The best case scenario is primarily associated with having raised the necessary funds and awareness to launch this project and assist the 41 children at Fondazzjoni Sebħ. It is no small feat but so far we have found support on several fronts so we are optimistic since the generosity of the Maltese knows no boundaries.”
“Needless to say, on a sporting note completing the challenge will always remain a goal.”
The run involves several weeks of physical and mental preparation.
“Like most programs, the type of sessions include running long, fast, slow, and up hills. Give or take one is running between 90 and 120km per week, must take care of their nutrition, and try to sleep as much as possible,” the pair said.
“The support of family and friends is also a massive part of why this is possible. Projects and events like this take a lot of effort and having a support system and a great team around you is key. A special mention goes to our wives and children who are a backbone.”
And when it comes to methods used to push through, the duo is clear.
“The greatest ‘tricks’ to keep us going are two. The first is keeping the cause in front of our eyes and understanding why we are doing this. The second is having people supporting us whilst we are on track, especially in the moments when we will be questioning why we are going through this.”
If you’d like to support or be a part of this incredible project, you can show up and cheer for the runners this weekend or donate by following this link.
“We feel it is part of our responsibility to remember that there are children who have gone through traumatic experiences and live in care, and Fondazzjoni Sebħ is one of those organisations that is working hard to improve these children’s lives,” they ended.
“We encourage those people that associate themselves to these thoughts, to consider a contribution.”
Will you be joining in? Share this article to show support to the pair’s incredible initiative
READ NEXT: 11-Year-Old Hit By Car In Pembroke - Taken To Hospital With Serious Injuries
