Bradley Dingli, Park of Friendship business development manager, tells Bernard Busuttil about the work carried out at what is more commonly known as the Razzett tal-Hbiberija, and speaks about the Christmas activities that will be held there

What is your role at the Park of Friendship?

I take care of all revenue streams that will permit that all services provided by the Park of Friendship to people with disabilities are given for free. My job is to see over our operations, such as functions and events, the animal park, fund raising initiatives, charity shop and well being and fitness centre. The able bodied people who use these services do so against a payment and all earnings go towards funding the free services given to people with disabilities.

How many people work at the park?

There are over 30 people who work on a full or part-time basis. Typically these are specialists in their area, because people who are specialised in the care of people with disabilities, such as occupational therapists, psychologists and physiotherapists, cannot be volunteers.

Then we have over 80 volunteers who help out. They help out as cashiers, in the accounting department and maintenance. All those who wish to help out but do not wish to work in direct contact with people with disabilities can still help at ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija. Thank God for the volunteers because if it weren’t for them our running costs would rise exponentially.

How is the park funded?

Since its founding 17 years ago, ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija’s mission was that of providing free services for people with disabilities. As the place began growing, so did business units. In order to meet the needs of, let’s say 100 people, the park needed only the money to cover those expenses whereas today, as we cater for 1,000 people with disabilities, we need much more funding.

As time went by, we developed four semi-commercial units. They can be described as semi-commercial because they are giving a service against a payment to able bodied people while giving the same services to people with disabilities for free. The four areas are; functions and events, IASIS wellbeing and fitness centre, the animal park and fund raising activities.

The functions and events area is made up of four areas in which we organise weddings, conferences seminars, stand up receptions, banquets and staff training such as team building sessions. IASIS wellbeing and fitness centre consists of a hydrotherapy pool which is heated all year round, fitness centre, sauna and a physiotherapy clinic. We also offer fitness classes, swimming classes and sports school for children who are able bodied, mixed with people with disabilities. We do this because we strive in integrating the two ‘categories’; it is irrelevant whether they are paying for the service or not, we always strive in promoting a totally inclusive society.

The third section is our animal park, where we host schoolchildren and where people with disabilities undergo horse therapy or animal interaction. The park features a go-kart track, a mini train, and an adventure area. It is a unique place since we have a variety of over 20 different animal species, something which is not found anywhere on the islands because even San Anton gardens, which was known as a mini zoo, has reduced its animals.

The fourth department is the fundraising. We organise fundraising campaigns, marathons or other events which are either organised in collaboration with third parties or else are in-house initiatives, such as the Enchanted Forrest.

Funds generated from the four areas help us to cover our yearly expenses of Lm350,000.

During the Christmas Season, we have a busy schedule as we host several staff parties and associations organise their Christmas drinks. IASIS has a scheme whereby membership vouchers can be bought to be given as Christmas presents. The fundraising department is also particularly busy during the season as it braces itself to organise a variety of activities.

What is the Enchanted Forrest?

The Enchanted Forrest is a concept that we have begun thinking about it over two years ago. We got the idea from a similar activity held in Las Vegas and incidentally the proceeds from that activity are devolved to charity as well.

Our animal park is an area which is used constantly during day time throughout the year while it is not utilised in the evenings. So we thought about making the most of it during the Christmas season. It is a beautiful area as it has different gardens, the animals themselves, and a small forest, which provides an excellent backdrop during the season, as the trees will be decorated with lights.

We opened the Enchanted Forrest for the first time last year and got an excellent response as it was visited by over 9,000 people. W had an ideal mix of patrons, children, grand parents, parents, groups of youngsters; at appealed to a wide range of people.

Why is Enchanted Forrest spelt with a double r?

It is because of copyright issues since the Las Vegas initiative is called the Enchanted Forest. Besides, you wouldn’t believe the interest the double “r” has stirred. We have received loads of e-mails telling us our spelling is wrong and pointing out the mistake.

What will this year’s event feature?

This year’s event will not run on 58 days as it did last year but it will run for 24 days. It started last Thursday and will go on till December.

Three tumoli of land have been lit up with Christmas decorations. There is Santa’s Castle, where children will have the opportunity to take a photo with Santa and the animal section, where children can meet Rudolf the Reindeer, Santa’s favourite animal. Besides, we also have a website, www.theenchantedforrest.com where children can e-mail their letters to Santa.

We have also created a story for the children to roam in their imagination. A child with a disability wrote a letter to Santa Claus asking him to help ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija. Santa, came all the way from the North Pole, brought over some animals from the North Pole and invited all Maltese families to visit his forest in order to have fun and help children and adults with disabilities to continue benefiting from free services at the park.

During last year’s event, we had the largest toy shopping area in Malta were toy shops could exhibit their goods. This will not be carried in this year’s activity as it was not very successful, however we will have Santa’s Toy Factory, where kids can make their own toys, thus helping Santa making toys in the run up to Christmas. The important thing about the toy factory is that children do not just go in the factory, make their toys and leave. The child will build, draw and pack the puzzle or Christmas tree to take home but in the process, will continue developing his creativity.

We have also told children that Santa has kept abreast with times and has an e-mail, whereby children can send their wish list. The letters are very cute as some may write, “I have been a really good boy this year. I did not quarrel with my sister. I didn’t pull her hair. Can I have my robot now?” We reply to such e-mails saying that Santa is considering their request. We also select some of the children to give them free entrance to the Enchanted Forrest.

What other activities are there in store?

There are games such as treasure hunts for children, following a trail up to Santa’s castle. At the door, they will be given a booklet with questions to answer, such as “How many white trees are there in the park?” On their way out they can leave a form out of the booklet and it will be drawn by lots at the end of the 24 days of the Enchanted Forrest.

There will also be a mini-train going round the park and a go-kart track. Entrance to both rides is against a nominal fee of 25c. Besides there is also an adventure area on the right hand side of Santa’s Castle. The area has soft flooring, slides, swings and other features where kids can have fun.

Apart from this, we will have entertainment, animation and a festive feeling throughout. Instead of musicians performing on a stage as we had last year, we will have buskers performing in different places, similar to the buskers in London.

This year’s event will also differ from last year’s in that although we want children to have a memorable experience, we also want to concentrate on giving adults an enjoyable experience.

Entrance is Lm2 for adults and Lm1 for children, however for every two paying adults, one child enters for free. I would like to point out that this is an activity that runs into the thousands of liri to organise and all profit will go to ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija.

What other activities will ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija organise during the Christmas Season?

This season, in collaboration with the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS), we will try to cook the world’s longest Christmas Log. Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija is selling one-foot-logs at Lm8 each and on the 20 December, the end of term at ITS, we will try and produce a 250 foot Christmas log. If successful ITS students will earn a place in the Guinness Book of World Records while all proceeds will go Razzett tal-Hbiberija. We have managed to secure the help of Consolidated Biscuit Co. Ltd who have donated 150 kilograms of biscuits. We are currently trying to secure other sponsorships for the other ingredients so that all revenue will be passed on to Razzett tal-Hbiberija.

Another activity we are organising is the Greatest Santa Charity Run and will be held on Christmas Eve, which this year falls on a Sunday. We are asking half-marathon athletes to run from Marsa Sports Ground to Razzett tal-Hbiberija dressed in full Father Christmas costumes. Athletes will start the run at 8 am and maybe by 10 they will be welcomed at the Enchanted Forrest.

Registration fee is Lm5 and athletes will be given a donation sheet for all those who want to contribute towards Razzett tal-Hbiberija.