The 2025 LifeCycle Challenge team returned to Malta, welcomed at the airport by family, friends and supporters after completing the 10-day challenge, a 2,000 km cycling journey from Jordan to Saudi Arabia.
The challenge, held between 16 and 25 November, took the cyclists across a diverse range of landscapes, including desert plateaus, coastal roads, and historic regions such as Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Tabuk and AlUla. This year’s route began in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra and concluded on the Red Sea coast in the vibrant city of Jeddah.
Over the 10 days of cycling, the team faced demanding conditions, including temperatures reaching up to 40°C, long-distance stretches, persistent winds, and a four-hour sandstorm. Despite these challenges, participants continued to press on, managing each stage of the route with focus and determination. Of the 16 cyclists who took part, 14 reached the final destination in Jeddah, while two had to withdraw earlier due to technical reasons. The arrival at Jeddah’s iconic Floating Mosque marked the end of the journey for those who completed the route.
Alan Curry, the Chairman of LifeCycle Malta commented: “The conditions this year were tough. Yet our cyclists approached every stage with commitment, aware that their efforts help highlight the daily trials faced by kidney patients. That awareness remained a steady source of motivation as they adapted to the terrain and weather along the way.”
The LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation is the only NGO in Malta dedicated entirely to renal health and has raised approximately EUR4 million over its 26 years of operation. Funds raised go towards the Traccia software that matches kidney donors and recipients at Mater Dei Hospital’s Renal Unit, supporting renal patients, purchasing equipment, and investing in research in collaboration with the University of Malta Research Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT).
The 2025 LifeCycle Challenge is supported by the main sponsor Nescafé and other sponsors amongst whom are Hili Ventures, Government of Malta Social Causes Fund, Smart Technologies Ltd, Brown’s Pharmacy, M&Z plc, Nuun Hydration, JPA, Laferla Insurance, Valletta Waterfront, Unicare, Mimici Foundation and The Web Ally.
Donations to the LifeCycle Foundation can be made via Revolut on 9932 9101, by PayPal on this link: https://buff.ly/35g17CC and via SMS: 5061 7370 for €2.33; 5061 8920 for €6.99; 5061 9229 for €11.65; or via a call to 5160 2020 for €10; 5170 2005 for €15; and 5180 2006 for €25.
Donations can be made also via bank transfers via Swift code VALLMTMT, IBAN MT 18 VALL 22013000000014814521017, with the Bank name being Bank of Valletta, and account number 14814521017.
The LifeCycle Foundation is registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations – VO/0529