Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1217991
05.03.2020 ATLAS Insurance was instrumental in the opening of the Adolescents' Room within the Rainbow Ward at the Sir An- thony Mamo Oncology Centre at Mater Dei Hospital, with a generous donation of Eur11,000 given to Puttinu Cares for the realization of this project. Atlas joined several other Maltese businesses and organisations in help- ing Puttinu Cares set up this room, in which adolescents and young adults can take a break from the hospital environ- ment and play games, watch TV, listen to music, study or even sit for exams. e room consists of a chill-out area, a PlayStation console and screen set- up, computers, musical instruments as well as other facilities need for leisure and studies. Apart from the Eur11,000 financial donation for this room, Atlas had, in the past, donated kitchenware for the Rainbow Ward. David Cassar, Marketing Manager at Atlas Insurance, said: "We are very proud to have offered a helping hand to the Rainbow Ward team as well as Put- tinu Cares and we are honoured to have been part of this project. Atlas hopes that thanks to our sup- port, young people receiving treatment at the Rainbow Ward will enjoy their own comfortable space to relax and keep up with their everyday interests and studies." Rennie Zerafa, CEO of Puttinu Cares thanked Atlas Insurance for its contri- bution: "We remember exactly that day when we had a meeting at the Rainbow Ward, and Atlas Insurance came up with this initiative to sponsor a room. We are so grateful that with the enthu- siasm and perseverance of Atlas, this dream has come true. Altas Insurance is making a big difference to the quality of life of many adolescent patients who go through cancer treatment." During the launch of the Adolescents' Room a month ago, Puttinu Cares had announced that following discussions with the hospital management, it was decided that the Rainbow Ward will care not only for children up to 16 years, but also teenagers and young adults up to the age of 21. Atlas Group employs just over 190 people and runs a corporate social re- sponsibility programme throughout the year with the aim of supporting the community it operates in. e Group operates an extensive branch and intermediary network throughout Malta and Gozo and is one of Malta's leading insurance and finan- cial services companies on the island. Left to right: Stephanie Buhagiar, Luke Zarb Demajo, Rennie Zerafa, David Cassar and Angele Cuschieri Atlas Insurance donates €11,000 towards the Rainbow Ward adolescents' room THIS year's edition of the Special anks And Recognition (STAR) Awards pres- entation ceremony took place last week at the Westin Dragonara Resort, St Julian's. Organised for the 15th consecutive year by the Malta Tourism Authority, this an- nual event recognises exceptional service and hospitality by the people who work in the tourism industry. Nominees for the STAR awards require a minimum number of nominations to be shortlisted as finalists. e nominee with the highest number of nominations in any given category is declared winner. is year, the STAR Service Awards Categories included Most Nominated Restaurant Employee, Most Nominated Visitor Attraction Employee, Most Nom- inated Accommodation Employee, Tour- ist Guide and Host Family. On the other hand, the Hotel Worker of the Year award is for personnel working within a hotel, irrespective of whether that person has direct contact with the tourist. Nomina- tions for this award are submitted by hotel management. is year's winners of STAR Awards in the various categories are: Mark Caruana from Esplora Interactive Science Centre, Jorge Vicioso - tourist guide, Ruby Amia- na Bartolini - Ocean Basket, Marilyn Cre- do - BB DeRohan, and Marie Girlando winner in the host family category. e STAR awards also recognised the Esplora Interactive Science Centre as the most nominated visitor attraction, the Salini Resort as the most nominated ac- commodation, BB De Rohan as the most nominated small accommodation, and the Ocean Basket as the most nominated restaurant. e Hotel Worker of the Year award for 2019 was won by Melissa Samburgo, a Guest Relations Manager at the Grand Hotel Excelsior. During the ceremony, a special recognition award was given to William Hatherly for his contribution to the tourism sector. Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection Julia Farrugia Portelli con- gratulated all nominees and winners of the STAR Awards. Farrugia Portelli rec- ognised the importance of high-quality service and tourism product in the hos- pitality industry which contributes to the country's economic progress and well-be- ing. For more information on the STAR Awards or to nominate a person work- ing in the tourism industry, visit: www. starawardsmalta.com MTA holds 15th edition of STAR Awards