Fabio Spiteri's Project 100 Raises €77,500 for Maltese Animal Shelters

Maltese endurance athlete Fabio Spiteri concluded his Project 100 fundraising campaign in December, generating €77,500 for local animal welfare organizations. The initiative combined extreme sports competitions with charitable donations to support shelters across Malta.

Campaign Events and Financial Results

The campaign operated from May through December, centering on two major endurance events. In June, Spiteri competed in the French 5x Ironman, followed by the Italian Deca in September. The Deca requires participants to complete one Ironman triathlon daily for ten consecutive days, totaling 38 kilometers of swimming, 1,800 kilometers of cycling, and 422 kilometers of running. Spiteri finished the event in 264 hours over 11 days, becoming the first Maltese athlete to complete the challenge and joining a group of only 140 individuals worldwide to achieve this feat.

The fundraising for the Deca concluded in the first week of December, after which funds were distributed during an event attended by various non-governmental organizations and individuals. Borg Cardona Pet Supplies served as the main sponsor, covering all organizational expenses, while iGEN provided additional support. Recipients received either direct monetary contributions or vouchers redeemable for food and medical supplies.

Spiteri is currently taking a break from training to plan the following year's campaign, maintaining the €100,000 donation goal.

Background of the Initiative

Spiteri's involvement in animal welfare began around 2018 while volunteering at a shelter housing approximately 150 abandoned animals. Observing the high operational costs, he organized his first fundraising event, a 2-kilometer swim alongside Jason Vella, which collected €3,000. This initial effort established the model of combining athletic competition with charitable giving. Spiteri, who currently holds the seventh position in the IUTA World Cup rankings and maintains 13 pets at home, continues to balance his professional athletic career with these fundraising efforts. Information regarding the campaign was provided during an interview with Spiteri in Sliema.