Hoteliers to run for charity - in staff uniforms

Donning uniforms of chefs, concierges and waiters, five young men, the majority holding top positions in the hotel industry, will be taking time out to run for charity.

The men - Paul Pisani, Simon De Cesare, Justin Zammit Tabona, Daniel Abela and Winston Zahra Jr - have been roped in to take part in World Run Day in aid of Caritas on November 7.

They will be running the 21km Zurrieq International Half Marathon between them, in costume, to raise funds, daring to say they will run in chambermaid skirts if they raise Lm20,000.

Mr Zahra Jr, who together with Mr Abela, have run countless times for charity, said he had no hesitation in accepting to take part knowing it was all for a good cause.

Mr De Cesare also believed it was a worthwhile cause and he had made this challenge a personal goal: "I don't know which is hardest - running or raising Lm20,000. I will give both my best shot."

Mr Pisani anticipated that five men running in hotel uniforms would be quite a funny sight: "I hope we won't make fools of ourselves but at the end of the day it's all for a good cause".

Mr Zammit Tabona was dreading the running part of the event: "This is the first time I'm running so it truly is for charity. The others keep telling me I will get a sudden boost of energy on the day - let's hope they are right".

International World Run Day is an event which originated in the US six years ago and brings runners around the world together for charity.

On November 7 Caritas will be joining other countries around the world, with the collaboration of the Zurrieq Wolves Athletics Club.

With the collaboration of the Director of Education all the schools have also been invited to take part and Intercomp, Marsa are offering a computer to the school which raises most cash.

Local personalities Peppi Azzopardi, Xandru Grech and Andrea Cassar are also supporting this event, while Cynergi Gym has joined in and is encouraging people to run at the gym to raise funds.

Caritas, which is mostly known for its work in drug rehabilitation, also provides an endless list of free services for those in need.

It provides counselling for people with social problems, people suffering from HIV/AIDS, individuals with mental health problems, victims of usury and lonely youths, among others.