Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/460957
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 2015 17 Events HSBC Malta Foundation to aid in the rescue and rehabilitation of hedgehogs THANKS to new signs being in- stalled on the roads, motorists will be warned when driving through a hedgehog habitat area. This new Nature Trust project is being sponsored by HSBC Malta Foundation and aims to safeguard these tiny mammals. Hedgehogs are an important animal species on the island and are protected by law. Referred to as the Algerian or North African Hedgehog (Atelerix algirus), they are native to the Mal- tese Islands and have no real preda- tors. That said however the number one modern day killer of hedgehogs is the motorcar. At a ceremony in Wied Għollieqa near the University of Malta, the Minister for the Environment, Sus- tainable Development and Climate Change Leo Brincat led a group of environmentalists, as well as offi- cials from HSBC Malta Foundation and Nature Trust Malta, to witness the installation of one of the many road signs that will be placed in and around the identified areas of hedgehog population. A total of 60 signs will be installed in Malta and Gozo. Minister Brincat said, "I am con- fident that this campaign will be as successful as our Adopt a Turtle program. The financial support of HSBC Malta Foundation will not only allow Nature Trust to create awareness but will also provide funds for hedgehog rehabilitation plans and ultimately a wild life re- habilitation centre." The signs form part of a larger Nature Trust project that includes a hedgehog adoption campaign to fund medical and rehabilita- tion costs of injured or orphaned hedgehogs. Ultimately, rehabilitat- ed hedgehogs are released by Na- ture Trust back into the wild. I To ensure maximum success of the campaign, staff from HSBC are lending a helping hand to Nature Trust by making use of their 'Vol- unteer Leave Day' initiative. To rescue a hedgehog, the hotline is 9999 9505. To adopt a hedgehog, in- formation can be obtained at adop- tahedgehogmalta@gmail.com. New corporate appointment at ifs-Malta THE Institute of Financial Serv- ices (ifs-Malta) has appointed Ann Marie D'Amato as the new Head of Corporate Relations and Business Development, as part of reorganisa- tion to strengthen the outreach of the non-profit organisation. Ann Marie D'Amato will build on her experience at ifs-Malta as a marketing executive for more than two years and continue to generate momentum to engage stakeholders from academia, business, govern- ment, and media. ifs-Malta President Simon Grech said, "Ann Marie is incredibly moulded in with the mission and values of ifs-Malta, and has led its promotion during a time of in- creased public engagement and ex- pansion." Ann Marie D'Amato said, "I am very keen to advance the premier reputation of ifs-Malta in creating a financially-literate society so each one of us can make informed deci- sions. My particular emphasis is to take our message to students and financial services practitioners, and promote financial education to the wider community." ifs-Malta works to provide qual- ity financial education and certi- fied training, whilst constantly responding to the ever-changing realities within the local and inter- national services industry. More information about ifs-Malta and its' range of initiatives can be found on www.ifsmalta.org Peugeot 308 voted Car of the Year 2015 in Morocco THIS prestigious award was made to the brand on 27 January in Casablanca, during an evening that brought together many in- terested parties: motor industry professionals, guests and media from the kingdom of Morocco. The Peugeot 308, which was up against the BMW 2 Series Coupé, BMW X4, Hyundai Elan- tra and Mercedes C Class, won the support of the specialist mo- toring jury. With voting by the organisa- tion committee (made up of journalists from Autonews - the leading motoring magazine in the kingdom - and motor indus- try and leasing company profes- sionals) on the one hand and the general public (with internet vot- ing) on the other hand, the new Peugeot 308 was unanimously awarded this national distinc- tion for 2015. Today, with more than 230,000 sales worldwide since its launch in September 2013, the Peugeot 308 continues its success story, with its "Car of the Year 2015" award in Morocco. In a Moroccan private car mar- ket of 122,000 vehicles in 2014, Peugeot was in 5th place with a market share of 7.2%. The new Peugeot 308 was launched at the end of January 2014 and with nearly 900 units sold, it was in 5th place in its segment. HSBC Catch the Drop supports Valletta Primary School initiative VALLETTA Primary School has won funding from the HSBC Mal- ta Water Programme – Catch the Drop campaign for its water con- servation project. The schools' students came up with the novel idea of capturing rain water to beautify and preserve their school garden. Rainwater flowing into the school's garden from St Elmo's Building, opposite St Elmo's Fort, is now being stored in two tanks and used to irrigate a newly-designated garden area in the school's yard. An official of the Ministry for En- ergy and Health, Rennie Mercieca, said: "The actions of the Valletta Primary students could be a key piece in the jigsaw puzzle towards building a sustainable environ- ment. Persuading our young people of the importance of preserving our environment and delivering that message to their families will be a powerful movement for change." Launched in October 2013, the HSBC Malta Water Programme – Catch the Drop is the largest ever campaign of its kind in Malta and will run until June 2016. The cam- paign aims at raising awareness about water conservation. Ann Marie D'Amato Greening Valletta's school garden using stored rainwater