Since arriving in Malta, HSBC has continually been involved in helping disadvantaged children, Mr Geoghegan said, particularly in areas such as education, recreation and rehabilitation projects run by non-governmental organisations, the government, and the Church, that are in line with HSBC Group’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.

The fund was set up to celebrate HSBC’s first anniversary in Malta. Since then it has already distributed some Lm180,000 in Malta and Gozo. However, Mr Geoghegan said, this money is only a part of HSBC’s contribution as it is difficult to quantify the exact amount of time dedicated by volunteers from HSBC employees who have helped and carried out work on a wide variety of related projects.

He thanked the fund’s committee members, saying that over the past four years they have worked tirelessly, often away from the limelight, to improve the quality of life of underprivileged children in Malta and Gozo.

On her part, Ms Gonzi thanked the bank for its invitation. “It was honour for me to be invited to chair this important organisation,” she said, “which not only helps disadvantaged children but is also a shining example of social responsibility on behalf of the private sector.

“I very much look forward to work together with the other members of the committee in order to ensure that the excellent work carried out by the fund continues to develop.”

In the past year, the fund has supported initiatives, including funding for Nature Trust’s education centre at Wied Ghollieqa, a hydrotherapy pool for children attending Dun Manwel Attard School in Wardija and specialised equipment for the special children’s unit at Prof. Guze` Aquilina Primary School in Sannat, Gozo, and at San Miguel School in Pembroke. The fund has also been the main sponsor of the Foundation for Educational Services Hilti Tezor project

Besides distributing funds, over the past four years all HSBC employees have taken part in nine Dress Down Days, during which they pay a donation for not respecting the bank’s dress code for a day. Other fund raising activities were organised to purchase equipment for the Children’s Cancer Support Group and other organisations such as Sedqa and Caritas.

Another annual event, established by the HSBC Cares For Children Fund, is Corporate Social Responsibility Day. On every 19 March, HSBC employees gave up their public holiday together with employees from other leading Maltese corporate organisations, to carry out maintenance work at various children’s homes.