Swimmers brave the cold to raise €12,000 for Istrina

A total of 252 swimmers, young and old, this morning braved the cold weather to raise €12,000 in aid of Istrina during the annual Thomas Smith Charity Swim in Sliema. 

The 2014 edition of the Thomas Smith Charity Swim in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund and L-Istrina was the 16th edition and marked the first charity swim to be held under the patronage of President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca.

In a brief address to the swimmers, President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca thanked the participants for their support and commended the Thomas Smith Group for organising the Charity swim on an annual basis.

The swimmers varied in age: Julia Testa Bickle, 4 years old was the youngest registered participant while Alfred Abela and Wilfred Pirotta, both 78 years old, were the oldest.

“The Thomas Smith Charity Swim is now an annual appointment on the calendar of events of the Office of the President and Thomas Smith. It continues to attract a good number of swimmers, showing solidarity and altruism by raising substantial sums of money for the Malta Community Chest Fund.”

“It is an honour for Thomas Smith Group to assist the President in her efforts to raise more funds for those members of our society who need help” said Joe Gerada, Managing Director, Thomas Smith Group.

Joe Gerada, together with Anton Buttigieg, Port Agency General Manager and Liana Cachia, Marketing Manager – the team behind the organisation and coordination of the Thomas Smith Christmas Charity Swim – will present the cheque to President of the Republic Marie Louise Coleiro Preca in early January.