Paphos resident’s birthday charity challenge

A Paphos resident will spend his 60th Birthday on Friday by completing a 60KM challenge to raise money for local charities.

Frank Martin, well known in Paphos as the’ Blind Man’, a nick name which relates to his business of shades and blinds, set off from Argaka at 8am on Friday morning, finishing up at,’G and T’s at Cielo’s’ restaurant and bar on Geroskipou municipal beach at 5pm, for a socially-distanced outdoor birthday celebration with sixty guests, that have all donated to the cause.

“I have always been fit and decided to raise money rather than get gifts from people this year and am supporting four local charities,” Frank told the Cyprus Mail.

The challenge is being carried out in memory of his son, who took his life at the age of 23.

“Many young people are trying to cope with depression and they keep it hidden. So many feel like they have no-one to turn to and this is why I am raising money for the Samaritans. They do such an important job,” he said.

In addition to the Samaritans, Frank will raise funds for other causes including; ‘Chalkies feeding the community’, the Archangel Michael Hospice and Makarios mother and child support, he said.

“I am hoping to raise five thousand euros and I have a way to go, so I would be grateful for any donations and support.”

The challenge includes cycling, waking and running the route which will take in Latchi, Peyia, Cap St. George, Kato Paphos harbour and Geroskipou.

Donation boxes will be placed around ‘G and T’s at Cielo’s’, where the challenge will conclude, said venue owner Garry Larman.

“We are also having a live link by radio station Rock FM to make the event more special. We are hoping to help him raise as much money as possible, as these are all deserving charities” Larman said.

The closing date for donations is May 1. There will be a presentation at G & T’s AT Cielo on
May 7 where the total for each organisation will be announced and presented to a representative of each entity.