Maltese endurance athlete Fabio Spiteri concluded his Project 100 fundraising campaign in December, securing €77,500 for local animal welfare organizations. The funds were generated through participation in extreme sporting events held between May and December.
Extreme Sports Achievements
The campaign featured two major competitions: the French 5x Ironman in June and the Italian Deca in September. Spiteri became the first Maltese athlete to complete the Deca, a challenge requiring ten consecutive Ironman events over ten days. This effort totals 38 kilometers of swimming, 1,800 kilometers of cycling, and 422 kilometers of running.
He finished the course in 264 hours across an 11-day period, joining a group of only 140 individuals worldwide to achieve this feat.
Financial Support and Distribution
Although the campaign fell short of the €100,000 target that defines Project 100, the finalized amount was distributed to various non-governmental organizations and private individuals in Malta. Recipients received either direct cash donations or vouchers redeemable for food and veterinary medicine. Borg Cardona Pet Supplies served as the primary sponsor, covering all operational costs for the project, while iGEN provided additional financial backing throughout the year.
Background and Future Plans
Spiteri’s involvement in animal welfare began around 2018 during his time volunteering at a shelter housing approximately 150 abandoned animals. His initial fundraising efforts included a 2-kilometer swim alongside Jason Vella, which generated €3,000. The athlete, who owns thirteen pets, is taking a training break following the campaign.
He plans to initiate preparations for the next iteration of Project 100 with the objective of reaching the €100,000 donation mark.
Spiteri currently holds the seventh position in the IUTA World Cup rankings.