Athlete aims to run 360 kilometres in six days to help homeless
Zach Vella will start his challenge on December 26 - and is asking public to join
An endurance runner plans to push his limits to the extreme by running 360 kilometres across six days for charity.
Zach Vella will run 60 kilometres a day from Boxing Day to New Year's Eve and is inviting the public to join him.
The challenge is aimed at raising funds and awareness for homelessness through YMCA Malta, which is facing growing pressure on its services.
In 2025 alone, the organisation received 307 new referrals for shelter, with all its facilities operating at full capacity.
The funds raised will be dedicated to two urgent projects: the creation of a new semi-independent living apartment to house six vulnerable individuals transitioning towards independent living, and the expansion of YMCA Malta’s drop-in centre in Ħamrun to allow for increased counselling, outreach and day-to-day support.
“These two projects urgently need support,” Vella said at the launch of the initiative. “This is a chance to make a real difference this Christmas. Even a few kilometres or a small donation can support the incredible work YMCA carries out every day.”
Vella says the challenge is one anyone can join, perhaps as an activity to do in the lull between Christmas and New Year.
Each daily run will be carried out at an easy, steady pace, with participants able to join for as little or as much distance as they wish.
Routes will vary between road and trail and will be shared daily on social media, complete with 10-kilometre checkpoints and estimated timings.
One of the standout days will feature a ‘backyard-style’ run starting from Vella’s hometown of Mġarr, consisting of repeated 10-kilometre loops every 90 minutes.
Route maps and live updates will be shared on Instagram via @homebound.mt.
Donations will be collected via a new fundraising platform called Home Bound, which acts as a link between YMCA Malta, donors and contractors, and monitoring each initiative through to completion.