Archive for month: June, 2018

The 53-hour BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon for Id-Dar tal-Providenza this year enters into its 10th edition.

The Volleyball Marathon was officially inaugurated earlier this evening by H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta who visited the Home and was given a warm welcome by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home and Ms Elvia George, Chief Finance Officer at Bank of Valletta and member on the Board of the Marigold Foundation – BOV in the Community. Present for the inauguration were also Hon. Anthony Agius Decelis, Parliamentary Secretary for Persons with Disability and Active Ageing, Dr Clifton Grima, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations as well as Dr Maria Deguara, Shadow Minister for the Rights of People with Disability and Active Ageing.

Fr Martin Micallef started his brief address by thanking the volunteers for their support all the year round, and also the players who not only participate in the marathon but also undergo two months of gruelling training to make it to the final cut. “This marathon rests on pillars that are very dear to us – solidarity and sport. The altruistic spirit of everyone involved shines throughout the event, showing that ‘where there is a will there is a way’. We are humbled by the public’s support year after year.” Fr Martin gave an overview of the manner in which the Home evolved, saying that the big project for the coming year is the opening of another home in Balluta as well as a much needed overhaul of Dar iż-Żerniq in Siġġiewi, the very first Home in the Community for the residents of Id-Dar tal-Providenza.”

Corroborating on Fr Martin’s comments, Elvia George said that, “The Marigold Foundation has been working closely with Id-Dar tal-Providenza since it was set up. Even the day-to-day running of this Home represents an incredible task, let alone investing in new and enhanced facilities. However, this is necessary not only for the current residents of the Home, but also for those individuals who enter this place for a respite period. Over the decades, this Home has remained true to the values of its founding Father and truly provides a family environment for everyone who seeks its support.” She concluded by saying that in this, Id-Dar tal-Providenza epitomises what the Marigold Foundation – BOV in the Community stands for; giving NGOs a platform to project their cause better.”

H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca expressed her satisfaction at the manner in which the nation “comes together to support Id-Dar tal-Providenza, throughout the year, but particularly during this annual event.” She continued, “Five decades later, this Home is still a living testament to the vision of its Founder Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi. Nowadays, it still has a pivotal role to play in providing its residents with the dignity and inclusion they deserve to live their lives to their full potential.”

The Marathon will run until Sunday 1st July at the grounds of the Home itself. In addition to supporting the players who will be playing volleyball, visitors may enjoy some of Malta’s best talent. The Band of the Armed Forces of Malta, followed by Kersten Graham’s Band will perform on Friday. The Police Force Band accompanied by local singers will give a musical show on Saturday while the popular Band The Crowns will perform on Sunday till the end of the Marathon.

A big screen for World Cup football enthusiasts will also be available together with food stalls. The Marathon will be aired live on television stations TVM, TVM2, NET TV and One TV.

Contributions can be made by calling 51702012 for a €15 donation and 51802013 for a €25 donation. A donation of €6.99 can be made by sending a blank SMS to 50618944. BOV Mobile Pay subscribers may also make their donation to the following number 79324834. There is also a pledge line 2146 1537.

Merely days away from the whistle that will kick-start the 53-hour Volleyball Marathon for Id-Dar tal-Providenza’s annual fund-raising event, a group of BOV employees faced off some of the volleyball players who will be participating in the marathon in a friendly game at the car park of the Home.

As Emanuel Zammit, Chairperson of the Marathon’s Organising Committee, explained, the training for the marathon is now in full swing with 40 players from a total of around 200 volunteers making it to the final cut, after the final 24-hour boot camp last weekend. These players have been training since last May, juggling the gruelling training regime, with their personal and work commitments.

Speaking ahead of the event, Elvia George who is both the Bank’s Chief Finance Officer and a member of the Marigold Foundation – BOV in the Community said, “The Foundation is yet again giving its support to this marathon of solidarity. It is encouraging for us to see our people participate keenly in this event, which helps to create more awareness about the activities lined up for this weekend at the Home.”

Thanking the participating BOV employees, Fr Martin Micallef, Director at Id-Dar tal-Providenza expressed his gratitude at the show of solidarity that year after year keeps the Home going, whilst enabling the residents to live the life of dignity and inclusion that they deserve.”

The BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon will be officially inaugurated on Friday 29th June at 18.00 hours by H.E Marie-Louise Coleiro-Preca, President of Malta.

Contributions can be made by calling 51702012 for a €15 donation, 51802013 for a €25 donation and 51902070 for a €50 donation. A donation of €6.99 can be made by sending a blank SMS to 50618944. BOV Mobile Pay subscribers may also make their donation to the following number 79324834.

A total of €4,000 have been presented by the Malta Institute of Accountants to Dar Tal-Providenza. The donation included also donations by the Institute’s members during the past month and those collected during the Annual Social Event organised by the Institute.

Mr William Spiteri Bailey, the President of The Malta Institute of Accountants said that the Institute believes that its role in society is multiple. “We have a number of functions to fulfil and with those functions comes our role of being close to the community and engage in projects inspired by the notion of the common good. This year, the Institute chose to support a noble cause which is being advocated by Advocacy for Legacy for Dar Tal-Providenza.”

Fr. Martin Micallef, Director of Dar Tal-Providenza thanked the MIA for the signifcant donation. He added that he welcomes the fact that the MIA subscribes to the notions of empowering individuals, supporting them to live their life in dignity and the creation of the right environment for everyone, so that they can maximise their potential and ability. He thanked the Institute members for taking the initiative and supporting the cause.

Mr Jesmond Saliba, Founder of A4L (Advocacy for Legacy), thanked the Malta Institute of Accountants for support the initiative. Inspired by the precepts of social justice, solidarity, social inclusion and respect for human dignity, Advocacy for Legacy is committed to advancing the life chances and opportunities for all in Maltese society with specific emphasis on empowering those most vulnerable to social exclusion to realise their aspirations and full potential.

Caption The President of the Malta Institute of Accountants (MIA) William Spiteri Bailey presents a donation of €4,000 to Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Dar tal-Providenza. The photo also features Ms Maria Cauchi Delia CEO MIA, Ms Analise Sammut, Events and Relationship Coordinator MIA, Ms Nadine Camilleri Cassano Administrator Dar Tal-Providenza and Jesmond Saliba Founder of Advocacy for Legacy

The 10th edition of the BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon for Id-Dar tal-Providenza was officially launched earlier today. The 53-hour long marathon will kick off on Friday 29th June at 18.30 hours in the car-park of the residential home and come to an end at 23.30 hours on Sunday 1st July.

The press conference was addressed by Mrs Michelle Muscat, Chairperson of the Marigold Foundation – BOV in the Community and Fr Martin Micallef, Director at Id-Dar tal-Providenza. They were accompanied by Ms Elvia George, Chief Finance Officer at Bank of Valletta and Mr Emanuel Zammit, Chairperson of the Marathon’s Organising Committee.

Fr Martin said, “The Marathon is an annual fund-raising event for Id-Dar tal-Providenza that really puts altruism to the fore. This marathon sees sportsmanship and volunteerism working hand-in-hand with the sole aim of raising funds to ensure that this Home continues to offer a family-like environment for its residents, who now number 115. He went on to explain that, “The Home’s mission has always been that of integrating its residents as much as possible within the social fibre of the Maltese society, an aim which is being reached primarily through the setting up of homes in different localities. Here the residents are able to lead a more independent life with all the support they need.” Fr Martin expressed his gratitude towards the public who has always risen to the occasion and given its support to this ‘labour of love’, as recently as during the Xarabank programme of Friday 8th June, where the sum of EUR335,293 was raised.

Fr Martin explained that the running costs of the Home run up to EUR12,000 daily. In addition to the support workers, the Home employs various specialists to support the residents, including occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Corroborating on Fr Martin’s intervention, Mrs Muscat explained that the Home is unique in terms of the ‘family atmosphere’ that it provides to the persons with disability residing there. “Over the years, since the Marigold Foundation has been collaborating with the Dar tal-Providenza, whenever we visit, it always feels that we are coming home, and the bond between the support workers, the volunteers and the residents themselves is truly genuine.” Mrs Muscat urged the people to continue supporting Id-Dar tal-Providenza so it continues to provide a caring environment to its residents, and helps them achieve their full potential.”

Ms Elvia George said that it is a great satisfaction for Bank of Valletta to retain its support towards this event through the Marigold Foundation. “We are confident that this year’s edition will be another success story that will continue to testify our generosity as a nation.
At Bank of Valletta we are pleased to give our support to help this Home, whose name is synonymous with the loving and caring environment it provides to its residents, to continue playing its vital role in our society.”

Zooming in on the role of the volleyball players, Mr Zammit explained that over 80 players have volunteered to participate this year. They have already undergone gruelling training, with the final players to participate in the marathon being announced after the 24-hour trial earmarked for the coming weekend. “As always this marathon is possible only because of the unfailing generosity of our 200-strong army of volunteers who take care of everything from the entertainment to the food stalls and the children’s area. Mr Zammit said that the marathon itself will be broadcasted live over the main TV stations but urged the public to visit the Home and support the players who will be playing volleyball round the clock for 53 hours straight.

The BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon will be inaugurated by H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca on Friday 29th June at 18.00 hours.

Contributions can be made by calling 51702012 for a €15 donation, 51802013 for a €25 donation and 51902070 for a €50 donation. A donation of €6.99 can be made by sending a blank SMS to 50618944. BOV Mobile Pay subscribers may also make their donation to the following number 79324834.

All proceeds from a concert marking the 50th anniversary of the Central Bank of Malta held recently at Teatru Manoel were donated to Id-Dar tal-Providenza. Guests were invited to make a suggested voluntary donation in aid of the Home during the concert.

The concert, held under the auspices of the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, included a repertoire of musical pieces from Hildegard von Bingen to the young Maltese contemporary composer Karl Fiorini.