World Book Day is a perfect excuse to promote reading through fun activities.

As part of its CSR initiatives, Bank of Valletta organized one such activity, coupled with a donation to ensure that it leaves a more permanent impact. The Bank donated books to the children's wards mobile library at Mater Dei Hospital which is coordinated by VolServ, so that children can read whilst they are in hospital, and also treated patients to story narration with the collaboration of VolServ’s volunteers.

Latched onto their parents' hands, all signs of shyness were lost as soon as children detected Bank mascot Cikkurillu who paid a visit to the children of Disneyland, Wonderland and Fairyland wards.  Cikkurillu distributed gifts and was welcomed by dozens of little bright eyes, eager for a cheerful break from their daily lives in the wards. VolServ Mouse accompanied Cikkurillu in greeting all.

VolServ is an SOS Malta service, run in partnership with the Ministry for Health, the Elderly and Community Care.  VolServ provides voluntary health services to support patients and relatives in Mater Dei Hospital. The service first started as a pilot project in April 2007 when a service agreement was signed and there are now over 160 active volunteers in various departments of the hospital.

“Volunteers have been trained in story-telling by actor Sean Buhagiar through VolServ and enjoy using their skills and creativity with patients in various wards in the hospital, with the hope of making their stay in the hospital a better one. It was a pleasure for all involved to mark World Book Day through this collaboration with BOV,” said Nicola Critien, Project Manager, VolServ.