Generosity and solidarity distinguish the Maltese people from other countries - President
President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca delivered a speech at the end of yesterday’s fun run in aid of L-Istrina, stating that “generosity and solidarity distinguish the Maltese people from all other countries in the world.”
The 10th edition of the President’s Solidarity Fun Run 2018 was organised in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation, and is one many fundraising events held in the run-up to the annual L-Istrina on 26 December.
The President said that the Maltese “always stand up to express solidarity, generosity, respect and love,” which she called some of the most important values passed down through the generations.
She said that the Maltese people would never fall into the trap of indifference. The President highlighted that aid requests to the Community Chest Fund had increased by the day, and that €8,000 a month was being spent on chemotherapy. She highlighted that the projected expenses were likely to rise to €9 million, adding that this year’s L-Istrina needed to be stronger than usual. She also thanked all those who had helped in the past.
“I am convinced that with your generosity, we are capable of ensuring that every one of us who needs help will receive it,” she said.
President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca had, prior to the event, called the fun run a “celebration of voluntary work, unity, solidarity and generosity.” The President went on to say that in 2018, the foundation was expecting to distribute some €9 million, as appeals for support had increased to over 400 per month.
While the 11.3km fun run departed from Rabat (Saqqajja Hill), the walks took off from Paola (5.35Km), the University of Malta (4.69Km) and Santa Venera (4.49Km).
The run ended at St George’s Square in Valletta, and while the participants congregated, catching their breath, they were met with upbeat music and a number of speeches from various Maltese political figures including the President of Malta herself.
This included everyone belting out the popular local song ‘Xemx’ and other classics that hyped the crowd back up after a day of running and walking.
Leader of the Opposition Adrian Delia was the first to speak and said that he did not think there were any people with bigger hearts than the Maltese and Gozitans. He also spoke about the importance of coming together, as a people, on major issues.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was not present for the event as he is currently in China to sign an agreement “which will continue to provide a framework to bringing further investment to Malta.” The crowd cheered and applauded loudly as his name was mentioned by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne, who was there in his stead. He echoed Delia’s remarks and added that it is “days like these that remind us how well we work together.” He said that, in truth, the Maltese are united. He thanked the President for, on occasions like the fun run, reminding the people of their large hearts.
He presented a €15,000 cheque from the Good Causes Fund.
Fun run chairman Mark Cutajar said that each year, attendance had increased. He said that he had learnt more about the values of volunteering under the leadership of the President, and highlighted that aside from this event, he never saw the political parties united.
Malta Public Transport also waived all ticket fees for individuals participating in this years fun run between 8am and 2pm, and quite a number of them got to their desired starting points by taking advantage of this concession for public transport.
A special commemorative Tshirt was given to all those attending.
The event ended with an openair dance/exercise combo session for those in attendance.
BNF bank COO Adrian Coppini, in comments to The Malta Independent, said that the bank group used to host a fun run when it operated in Portugal. He said that ten years ago, President Emeritus George Abela had asked the CEO if the bank could do something similar in Malta. That was how the fun run had begun ten years earlier, he said.
Coppini said that the bank was originally more involved organisationally, but was now more on the marketing side of things. He said that the BNF marketing team was in contact with the Office of the President continuously. Then, he said, there are the front-liners who take bookings, aside from the volunteers who help at the different stages of the run. He said they also tried to involve the families of staff members in the event.
BNF chief risk officer Maruska Buttigieg Gili said that the bank had been backing this fun run from the start and was now in everyone’s diary.
BNF chief financial officer Mark Micallef said that the community was central to what they did. “It is a core part of our purpose as a bank and we service the local. We service individuals and local companies, and the community does pay our salaries at the end of the day, and so it is very important for us to give back whatever we can. This run has been an important part of our calendar for a number of years.”