Runner Raises $134K for Homeless Shelter Across Europe

Zach Vella has been running 60 kilometers every single day for eight weeks, crossing France, Switzerland, and Italy to help people rebuild their lives after homelessness.

His Miles from Home challenge started with a simple goal: raise €120,000 to help YMCA Malta create a shelter apartment for people transitioning back to independence. Thanks to a massive €60,000 boost from the Alfred Mizzi Foundation, he's now collected €134,563 and counting.

Vella is set to complete his journey on May 18 when he arrives back in Malta. That's almost 3,000 kilometers of pavement, blisters, and determination, all for people facing one of life's toughest challenges.

The apartment he's funding will house six residents who are ready to take their next step toward stable living. It will provide semi-independent living arrangements with structured support, a proven model that works.

YMCA Malta knows this approach saves lives. In 2025 alone, they helped 56 people successfully transition from their residential services into independent living.

The need is urgent and growing. This year, the organization received 405 referrals for support, accepting 146 people including 86 men, 57 women, and 16 children. The most common reasons people needed help were financial hardship, substance abuse, and family breakdowns.

In recognition of the foundation's generosity, YMCA Malta plans to name the new space Dar Alfred Mizzi. The apartment represents more than just four walls; it's a bridge between crisis and stability for people who need it most.

The Ripple Effect

This campaign shows how one person's dedication can inspire major philanthropy to follow. The Alfred Mizzi Foundation's leadership gift demonstrates what happens when individual passion meets institutional support.

For the 146 people YMCA Malta welcomed this year alone, housing isn't just shelter. It's the critical first step toward dignity, independence, and rebuilding a life that circumstances tried to take away.

YMCA Malta celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, marking five decades of helping people find their footing when everything feels uncertain. Vella's run ensures they can continue that mission with expanded capacity right when their community needs it most.

One runner, 3,000 kilometers, and a community coming together to say that everyone deserves a safe place to call home.