The Park of Friendship (Razzett Tal-Hbiberija) yesterday launched a new donation scheme in which the public can set up a standing order with all local banks, donating as little as Lm1 a month to the organisation.

General manager Mark Sultana explained yesterday, at a news conference, that the public could contribute to the running expenses of the Park of Friendship by setting up a direct debit.

“We have reached an agreement with the Malta Financial Services Authority and all local banks allowing people to donate a sum of money once a month. All they have to do is call on tel.: 2163-6999 and give their details to join the scheme,” he said.

Mr Sultana said the organisation helps people with a disability.

“Through the multi-sensory rooms that were recently installed, people with special needs are offered a range of sensory experiences for therapy, learning, relaxation and fun,” he said.

An Information and Communications Technology (ICT) lab was recently installed allowing people with a disability to learn how to use computers.

Mr Sultana said that even a person who was tetraplegic – paralysed from the neck down – could use a computer.

“Everyone can make use of the various services available at the Park of Friendship and during the past five years, people have shown their appreciation for what we do.”

However, added Mr Sultana, the Park needed the continuous support of the public to keep up the services available while improving them.

He pointed out that there were at least 16 people on the waiting list to make use of the multi-sensory room.

“For these 16 people to be removed from the waiting list, there is the need for another occupational therapist to work in the multi-sensory room,” he said.

Mr Sultana said the Park was launching the donation scheme because it could not rely solely on fund-raising events.

Fundraising coordinator Gordon Pace explained that the Park needed Lm400,000 a year to get by, and that did not include running costs.

However, the multi-sensory room cost Lm250,000 and was funded by donations sent to the Christmas programme Istrina, he said.

“We have always managed to cover the cost but we want to continue building on our success,” he said.

He added that the Park of Friendship was one of the few establishments in Europe that offered various services to people with special needs for free.