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Queen Elizabeth honours local swimmer with Point of Light Award
Neil Agius, co-founder of the ‘Wave of Change’, as well as super impressive endurance swimmer and clean oceans advocate has been bestowed with one of the greatest honours out there.
Queen Elizabeth II has recognised Neil, representing Malta, as the 151st Commonwealth Point of Honour, in light of his impressive service, advocating for plastic-free oceans.
Back in June 2020, Neil embarked on the challenge of a lifetime; a 100km, 34 hour swim from the Sicily all the way to St Julians, Malta. He did so to raise awareness for #WaveofChange, an anti-plastic pollution campaign.
Neil Agius
Photo: MaltaToday
Neil became the first Maltese person to swim this route since Nicky Farrugia, who swam from Sicily to Malta back in 1985.
Commonwealth Points of Lights awards highlight inspirational acts of volunteering, across the Commonwealth, thus inspiring others to make their own contribution.
“I am really honoured to receive this award. It is a great feeling that I can inspire so many to make changes to the way we treat mother earth. There is no Planet B so we really need to respect it, once we can learn to do that, then we will be able to enjoy it at its full potential and glory.”
“Neil is an example of dedication and determination in his fight against climate change and environment-related issues. Swimming to Malta in record-breaking 28 hours should serve as an inspiration for others to be the change for a better world,” said UK High Commissioner in Malta, Stuart Gill OBE.
