L-Istrina BOV Piggy Bank campaign marks its 13th edition

President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca yesterday launched this year’s edition of L-Istrina BOV Piggy Bank campaign, with the theme Mit-Tfal b’Solidarjetà, during a ceremony that was attended by the head teachers of all schools in Malta and Gozo. This campaign is supported by Bank of Valletta, which was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mario Mallia.

This is the first stage in a campaign that will reach its culmination on 26 December, when the sum collected is presented during the live broadcast by BOV representatives. The campaign sees piggy banks distributed across all primary and secondary schools around Malta and Gozo.

In her speech, President Coleiro Preca expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributes towards the Malta Community Chest Fund, which helps people undergoing very difficult circumstances in their lives, in particular cancer patients receiving treatment overseas and their families. She appealed to all college principals and school heads: “Our children look up to you as their mentors throughout their formative years. Here, you are also playing a very important role, fostering the value of solidarity.” The President of Malta encouraged the school representatives to participate actively in the campaign, designing events in which the children may participate actively and raise funds towards LIstrina.

In his address, Mr Mallia said: “The L-Istrina BOV Piggy Bank Campaign is very close to our hearts. This campaign sees the very youngest in our society getting involved in the L-Istrina effort. It helps to spark the spirit of altruism that is so much part of our identity as Maltese. Our people are actively involved throughout the campaign, from the preparation stage to the distribution and the counting which brings the cycle to a close with the final presentation during the live broadcast on 26 December.” Mr Mallia concluded his intervention by thanking the many volunteers who give hundreds of hours of their time towards worthy causes such as L-Istrina.

Edgar Preca, who has become synonymous with this campaign, will be visiting a number of schools around Malta and Gozo, over the coming weeks. These occasions serve as an opportunity for school children to meet the Presidency and speak about the campaign and their involvement in it.