“HSBC has a particular focus on educational, environmental and cultural heritage projects that seek to enhance the quality of life, provide opportunities to disadvantaged children and protect natural resources,” HSBC head of corporate social responsibility, Josef Camilleri said.
“HSBC’s CSR activities take place within the context of a global strategy. In Malta we fulfil the group’s CSR strategy primarily through three main funds. The HSBC Cares For Children Fund (HCCF), set up in 2000, does not only distribute funds to improve the quality of life of underprivileged children, but also has a hands-on approach to helping children,” said Mr Camilleri.
Over the past years, all HSBC employees have taken part in Dress Down Days to help organisations such as Sedqa and Caritas, and have raised money to organise the annual Carnival Party for children in Church homes, and to purchase equipment for young persons with special needs.
Recently, through the HCCF, children from various homes and institutions around Malta were able to watch Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine, as part of the celebrations to mark World Children’s Day which is commemorated on 20 November. The bank was also the main sponsor for World’s Children day celebrations at Ta’ Qali, which saw hundreds of children enjoy themselves and participate in games including tug-of-war, bocci, bungee runs, bouncy castle and others.
Sharon Cassar, HSBC Manager CSR advised that, “HSBC Cares For The Environment Fund (HCEF) assists with the improvement of the environment in Malta, through initiatives that either take direct action or enhance public awareness on environmental issues.
“The HCEF focuses its efforts primarily on afforestation, environment education and waste management initiatives,” said Ms Cassar. It is a major contributor of the 34U campaign championed by the Rural Affairs and the Environment Ministry. In fact over Lm50,000 have been committed towards afforestation initiatives under this campaign and over 7,500 trees have been planted so far. The fund is also contributing towards the Eco-Schools initiative which is an international educational programme focusing on environmental activities empowering students within schools.
The HCEF was also involved in a number of environmental projects including the reforestation project and the establishment of an educational centre for children at Wied Ghollieqa implemented by Nature Trust, the Inqas Skart Ambjent Ahjar project conducted by the Youth Movement of Marsascala; a clean-up of the rubbish at Victoria lines carried out by HSBC staff members and the launch of Malta’s first Green Commuter Plan at HSBC Operations Centre involving car-sharing.
Mr Camilleri noted that the most recent fund, the HSBC Cares For Malta’s Heritage Fund (HCMHF) was established just over a year ago and focuses on Malta’s unique heritage. “Some of the projects under this fund include the Malta Hotel-Heritage Sponsorship Scheme whereby guests staying at selected hotels are invited to make a voluntary contribution towards the upkeep of selected Heritage Malta sites. The scheme has been a huge success and it is intended to increase its participants,” said Mr Camilleri. The HCMHF has also sponsored the launch and exhibition of “Malta’s World Heritage Sites 360°”at the Museum of Archaeology. The exhibition has recently been set up at the Valletta Waterfront so that tourists arriving on cruise ships in Valletta will have a better opportunity to understand what Malta has to offer in terms of unique world heritage sites.
“Over the past five years, HSBC has invested significantly in various CSR initiatives and projects in Malta. The bank is committed to continue playing a positive role within Maltese society and so sharing its success within the Community,” said HSBC Bank Malta plc’s chief executive officer Shaun Wallis.