The Malta Independent on Sunday
Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation distributed twice as many funds in 2016 than in 2015
The Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation distributed a total of €4,778,547 in 2016, €2,328,779 more than in 2015, the Foundation reported yesterday.
The sum distributed in 2016 is divided as follows: assistance given to individuals and societies amounted to €1,309,486; overseas assistance, medical treatment and special equipment given to people with disability amounted to €3,469,061.
The President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, highlighted the fact that assistance for patients and their relatives while receiving treatment overseas increased by 39 per cent in 2016, compared to 2015, while medical assistance – the provision of medication for severe and chronic conditions – increased by 51 per cent in 2016 compared to the previous year.
The Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation held its second Annual General Meeting at San Anton Palace. The Financial Report presented was for the year ended 31 December 2016.
Assistance through the Disability Unit – assistance through therapy and specialised equipment – increased by 43 per cent in 2016 compared to 2015, and social assistance to vul- nerable families increased by 57 per cent in 2016 compared to 2015.
President Coleiro Preca explained that the AGM was once again being held as part of the Foundation’s continuous mission to be fully accountable to the people who make donations to it. She added that those who donate have a right to know how the funds are being used.
“The main aim of the Foundation is to improve the lives of families and individuals who are suffering hardship. The Foundation works to achieve social justice by providing care, dignity and respect to anyone who is in need of its services,” she said.
During the presentation of the administrative report, the chairman of the Board of the Foundation’s administrators, John Camilleri, spoke of the work of the Foundation in 2016.
The Foundation’s Finance Unit chairman, John Huber, explained that from this year, the financial year will be 12 months, in line with a calendar year. Huber went through the figures contained in the financial statements, the main highlight being the fact that last year the Fund distributed more funds whilst simultaneously reducing administrative expenses.