An initiative by HSBC’s personnel department has led to HSBC supporting two local entities: the University of Malta library and the Puttinu Cares children’s cancer support group.

For a number of years in the past the bank used to sponsor staff to attend University degree programmes. This sponsorship included the purchase of books, which were then returned to the bank once the member of staff returned. These books, together with others that were specifically purchased, used to make up the bank’s library. With the coming of HSBC to Malta, HSBC bank malta employees now have access to the bank’s physical and online library in the UK, which consists of over 12,000 items.

This meant that the smaller library which the bank had in Malta was no longer being used. Human resources learning and development department suggested that in order for the books to be made better use of, they be offered to staff in return for a donation for Puttinu Cares children’s cancer support group, with remaining books being donated to the University of Malta library.

The bank supported this initiative and after the sale of books two presentations were held at the University library at Tal-Qroqq on Tuesday 5 April. Proceeds of the sale were presented to Toots Birch, secretary of the Puttinu Cares children’s cancer support group while about 300 books on the various subjects were donated to Prof. Anthony Mangion, director library services, University of Malta.