President George Vella launched the 19th edition of the l-Istrina BOV Piggy Bank Campaign in aid of The Malta Community Chest Fund (MCCF). Present for the launch were Mrs Miriam Vella, the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Clifton Grima, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Education, Mr Matthew Vella, and the CEO of Bank of Valletta, Mr Kenneth Farrugia.
President Vella said that this campaign fosters a great sense of solidarity, unity, and love for the environment in children. “We are helping children to realize, from a young age, that the money they put in the piggy bank go to those in need. The second message is that this campaign unites us, we cannot afford to have a society that lacks unity,” said the President.
President Vella expressed his appreciation for the Bank of Valletta’s consistent support in this campaign and for its social responsibility.
The Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Clifton Grima, said that he is convinced that, as in previous years, students will be generous with their donations. “This event, as in previous years, will first of all help to instil a sense of altruism and solidarity among students, but it is also a nice act of unity for the noble aim of raising funds for the Malta Community Chest Fund”, said Minister Grima.
Minister Grima also thanked all the children who contributed to the piggy banks’ design and told the children to cherish the chosen theme for this year ‘Be a friend, not a bully’.
Kenneth Farrugia, CEO of BOV, said that this campaign is close to the bank’s heart because it fosters a sense of altruism and solidarity in children towards those going through difficult times. He mentioned that over the years, €2.6 million were raised, including a record €60,800 in 2021.
Mr Farrugia said that through this campaign, the bank is also reiterating its commitment to safeguarding the environment, curbing climate change, and implementing ESG factors. In fact, the piggy banks that will be distributed in schools are made of recyclable materials.
Source: Office of the Prime Minister