Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1127413
COMMERCIAL 16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 JUNE 2019 THE 11th edition of the BOV Marigold Volley Marathon in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza was officially launched during a press conference held at the home for people with disabil- ity in Siġġiewi. The 53-hour volleyball mara- thon will kick off on Friday 5th July at 6.30pm in the car park of id-Dar tal-Providenza and continues non-stop until mid- night on the 7th July 2019. The 2019 marathon was of- ficially launched by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza and Michelle Muscat, Chairperson of 'The Marigold Foundation – BOV in the Community'. They were accompanied by Elvia George, Chief Finance Officer at Bank of Valletta and Ema- nuel Zammit, Chairperson of the Marathon's Organising Committee. 'The Marathon is an annual fund-raising event in aid of Id- Dar tal-Providenza that really puts altruism to the fore,' said Fr Martin. 'The marathon sees sportsmanship and volunteer- ism going hand-in-hand with the sole aim of raising funds to ensure that this Home contin- ues to offer a family-like envi- ronment for its residents.' 'The Marigold Founda- tion recognises the fact that for the majority of its fund- ing requirements id-Dar tal- Providenza relies on dona- tions from the Maltese and Gozitan population,' said Michelle Muscat. 'The role of the Marigold Foundation in this annual fund-raising ini- tiative is to cover all expenses related to the organisation of the volleyball marathon, thus ensuring that each and every cent donated by the general public during this weekend of solidarity goes towards the running and upkeep of this very important element in the fabric of the Maltese Commu- nity.' 'Bank of Valletta has been an integral part of all 11 editions of the Volleyball Marathon, an initiative that we are proud to be associated. Besides rais- ing the much needed funds, this event spreads the Home's message of respect and dignity towards people with disabil- ity,' said George. 'We are con- fident that this year's edition will once again be another tes- timony of the nation's gener- osity that we are synonymous with.' 'We are very grateful to all the participants in the mara- thon, the players, organisa- tional committee and volun- teers who each year turn up in numbers to ensure the suc- cess of this annual celebration of sports and solidarity,' said Zammit. 'We are happy to see the commitment of peo- ple who return year after year, as well as seeing new faces to keep the event fresh and form new friendships in this ever increasing family.' 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 make their donation to the following number 79324834. There is also a pledge line 2146 1537. More initiatives to preserve Malta's old railway cabin THE Birkirkara Local Council and the Malta Railway Foundation are cur- rently implementing the 'Birchircara Old Railway Station Museum Project', an EU-funded project aimed at reviving the historical importance of the Malta railway. The railway service in Malta com- menced in February 1883. The railway system was at the time considered as a revolutionary advancement as it rep- resented a more efficient and practical means of transport. The route ran from Valletta Railway Terminus all the way to Notabile Station underneath Saqqa- jja Hill in Rabat. Its last journey on 31st March 1931, winded up the railway service in Malta, when the running of a railway was no longer viable due to the introduction of a new means of transport. The only remnant of the train is the only surviving original third class cab- in, which was recently professionally restored to its former glory. With the aid of EU funds, the Birkirka- ra Local Council went a step further to commission a protective shelter in or- der to safeguard it from the detrimental effects of natural elements and vandals. The security system, including CCTV cameras, will also be upgraded to deter any potential vandalism. This initiative is only part of a big- ger project which will establish a new museum dedicated to Malta's railway history, where the public will have the opportunity to appreciate the once fa- mous 'Il-Vapur tal-Art', as the train was popularly known among locals. The whole project is being co-fi- nanced by the European Union and the Government of Malta under 'Opera- tional Programme I - European Struc- tural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 Programme, European Regional Devel- opment Fund', through the Parliamen- tary Secretariat for European Funds and Social Dialogue, and the Parlia- mentary Secretariat for Local Govern- ment and Communities. Satisfied with the progress, the May- or of Birkirkara Local Council, Joanne Debono Grech, remarked that the train carriage has a sentimental value for her, as it was her father, former Minister Joe Debono Grech, who had brought it back to Birkirkara in the 1980s. 11th edition of BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon in aid of id-Dar tal-Providenza officially launched