‘As Maltese, we need this positive expedition to bring us together’ – Melanie Vella

As long-distance swimmer Neil Agius enters the third and final day of his 130-kilometre swim from Linosa, an Italian island north of Lampedusa, to Malta, many wait with bated breath to welcome him home, having set a world record for the longest open water swim.

The trailblazer and activist is swimming to raise awareness of plastic waste in the sea, challenging people to show their support by getting involved in the ‘Double the Wave’ challenge. In so doing, he has also become an inspiration to many.

Among them is Melanie Vella, Head of Comms & Engagement at Ocean Generation, a UK-based charity organisation addressing the issues of plastic in the ocean.

Marking the first time she is on the island in person “to witness Neil Agius and his incredible team write history”, she takes to social media to share a powerful message about the importance of working together towards a common goal.

“As Maltese, we need this positive expedition to bring us together, remind us of the resilience we are made of,” she writes, maintaining that “Neil isn’t just swimming to smash a world record, he’s attempting something no one has ever done before to remind us… we write our story, we protect our land & sea, we are all #Wavemakers.”