The High Commissioner of Malta to the UK, Joe Zammit Tabona and his wife Susan, accompanied by Marija Attard, the Medical Officer at the Malta High Commission, recently paid a courtesy call on the Maltese patients and their families currently residing at apartments in Sutton, Surrey.

These apartments were purchased by the Puttinu Cares Children’s Cancer Support Group and were inaugurated last November by Catherine Gonzi, Chairman of the HSBC Cares for Children’s Fund. These premises were blessed by Archbishop Paul Cremona.

At the time of the visit, there were six Maltese children and two Maltese adults who were residing at the apartments together with their families and receiving treatment, mainly at the Royal Marsden Hospital, the leading UK hospital in the field of cancer treatment. The High Commissioner and Mrs Zammit Tabona were welcomed warmly by these patients and their families and were shown around the apartments. The families shared their experiences of distress and hope with the commissioner and Mrs Zammit Tabona.

The patients thanked the Department of Health in Malta for providing them with assistance with flights, accommodation, transport and most of all, for covering the costs of their medical treatment. Ms Attard was thanked for providing logistical support and for liaising with the relevant British hospitals and the Department of Health in Malta.

Mr Zammit Tabona pledged the High Commission’s continuing support and assistance and together with Mrs Zammit Tabona, promised to keep them in his thoughts and prayers.