Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/919364
45 Events maltatoday SUNDAY 24 DECEMBER 2017 British American Tobacco Malta employees brighten up Richmond Hostel in Qormi JUST a few days before Christmas, the Richmond Foundation Hos- tel in Qormi received a significant overhaul to its interiors thanks to an initiative by British American Tobacco Malta employees as part of the company's annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) day. Led by the motto of "Bringing value everyday to the society", em- ployees of the British American Tobacco Malta dedicated a num- ber of hours towards renovating the interior walls of the hostel, including painting and carry- ing out light maintenance works. The games room was cleared of a number of unwanted items so as to make space for in-house activi- ties, while the billiards table was professionally serviced. The com- pany also sponsored the purchase of new dining room tables and chairs. In true Christmas spirit, heart-warming food items were presented to the residents. Richmond Foundation is a NGO working with individuals with mental health difficulties in the community. The Foundation en- deavours to provide optimal com- munity mental health services that promote mental wellbeing, address the prevention of mental health problems and provide sup- port for good quality of life. In pre- vious years, British American To- bacco Malta employees conducted CSR projects for the benefit of a number of organisations including Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna (2014), Dingli local council and commu- nity (2015) and Dar Leopoldo in Gzira (2016). British American Tobacco Mal- ta's Head of Trade, Charles Saliba, said: "Part of being a socially- aware and responsible business is to encourage a positive impact in society through active corporate social responsibility. We do this by regularly supporting Maltese NGOs and other entities. This year we chose to lend a hand to Richmond Foundation as they are doing a sterling job in the mental health community and fostering better awareness and acceptance in the society." Jennifer Azzopardi from Rich- mond Foundation's Qormi Hos- tel said: "Qormi Hostel is one of the services offered by Richmond Foundation. The aim of the hos- tel is to provide accommodation with 24-hour support to men with mental health problems. As one can imagine, this requires time and dedication which can some- times leave us with less resources that can be utilised for other pro- jects. The support extended by British American Tobacco Malta and its employees will go a long way towards creating a more posi- tive and welcoming environment for our guests. For this, we are all very grateful." British American Tobacco Malta staff brightening the bedroom walls of the hostel CareMalta staff to participate in next edition of Malta Half Marathon to celebrate company's 25 years of operation Thomas Smith Charity Swim raises €8,000 in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund CAREMALTA, the leading op- erator of care homes for older persons in Malta, will turn 25 in 2018. It was the first company to venture into the elderly sector with the building of the first pur- posely-built home for the elderly in Mosta. Today Caremalta oper- ates eight facilities for the elderly and takes care of around 1400 residents. As part of the celebrations mark- ing this important anniversary, the company has embarked on an initiative which is both symbolic and functional at the same time. In line with its mission to promote a healthy lifestyle within the com- pany CareMalta has invited 25 in- dividuals to run in the next edition of the Malta Half Marathon whilst 25 other persons have committed to walk the same distance. This initiative has been aptly called the #zerototwentyfive. The initiative symbolises Care- Malta's 25-year journey starting from a humble beginning in 1993 to obtaining and retaining a lead- ing position in the sector 25 years after. Like any other challenge this journey required resilience, professionalism, teamwork, lead- ership as well as vision. CareMalta has supported par- ticipants by sponsoring a profes- sional trainer to assist them in their preparation for the February challenge. The training sessions are serving as teambuilding ses- sions bringing together manage- ment, caring, service and admin- istrative staff as well as employees from other companies within the Vassallo Group. A number of other initiatives will be taken throughout 2018 amongs them the launch of an ambitious training programme for all the 1000-strong CareMalta workforce based on a set of service values aimed of taking the service provided by the company to the next level. €8,000 was raised this month during the 19th edition of the Thomas Smith Charity Swim in aid of The Malta Community Chest Fund. The amount col- lected was made up of €5,700 from the swimmers' families and friends while Thomas Smith topped up and rounded up the amount to €8,000. Ever since its inception, the Group, together with the swimmers' donations have collected just over €110,000. Just over 200 swimmers of all ages braved the wind and cold winter sea in Sliema to raise funds for charitable causes. 52 females and 154 male swim- mers took part in this year's charity swim. In a brief address to the swimmers before they jumped into the cold sea, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca thanked everyone for their support to the Malta Com- munity Chest Fund. She com- mended Thomas Smith Group for organising the Charity Swim on an annual basis and thanked the Company for con- tributing towards the final amount donated. The Presi- dent presented medals to all the 206 participating swim- mers after they completed the swim. The swimmers varied in age: Eva Testa Bickle, three years old was the youngest regis- tered participant, following in her sister's footsteps also named the youngest swimmer in 2014, at three years old. The youngest male swimmer was Benjamin Alamango, six years old, while Wilfred Pirotta, 81 and Marlene Attard, 74 were the oldest registered male and female swimmers. The 2017 Thomas Smith Charity Swim was supported by the Sliema Local Coun- cil, Civil Protection Depart- ment, Malta Red Cross, St John's Ambulance, Malta Po- lice Force, Drinks n' More, X-Zone, H2Only, Għaqda Dilettanti Sajd Sliema, Vertex Vending Services, Deejay Ar- thur Garrett, WAVA, HIVE, Karl Borg Events, Giorgio's, Cara's, Clyde Dolceria, Ven- scic Ltd, as well as many other supporters. Held every year since 1999 under the patronage of the President of the Republic, this year marks the nineteenth edition of the Thomas Smith Charity Swim. The swim is held every year under the pa- tronage of the Office of the President. Thomas Smith is a group of companies offering a diversi- fied portfolio of services in shipping, logistics, and insur- ance. With operations in Mal- ta, Libya, Algeria and Tunisia, Thomas Smith Group leverag- es Malta's strategic location to provide a host of professional and logistics services for indi- viduals, SME's and industry. The President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, received representatives of Play'n GO, and was presented with a donation in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation. President Coleiro Preca thanked the company representatives for their sense of solidarity and for setting an example through their Corporate Social Responsibility