Despite the heavy rains of the past weeks, University students braved the mud to lend a helping hand in planting some 1,200 trees at the new HSBC Garden-on-Campus. In October 2005, HSBC promised to plant a tree for every student who opened a new HSBC Student Account. Now, that promise has been fulfilled.

The HSBC Garden, located just off the University’s ring road immediately before the turning that leads down to the sports centre, will be managed by Nature Trust (Malta). The rehabilitation of this previously abandoned area will eventually offer students a new place to relax. The initial planting of 1,200 trees will be followed by landscaping works before opening for students to visit and relax in.

“It’s safe to say that when HSBC together with its Cares For The Environment Fund came up with the idea of planting a tree for every new HSBC Student Account opened during Freshers’ Week, rather than opting for handing out the usual freebies, we were uncertain as to what response we would get from students. Today we know that students really do care about the environment and are willing to get involved to help heal the damage of the past,” said HSBC’s Head of Personal Financial Services Godfrey Swain.