I write on behalf of the new Eden and Razzett Foundation in reference to your editorial A demand for answers (TMID, 4 March).

I would like to make it clear that the developments over the latter part of 2008 (in which I played a part as a trustee of the Razzett tal-Hbiberija), that led to the creation of a new foundation that is represented equally (and not a take over) by the Eden Foundation and the Razzett tal-Hbiberija, was carried out under the scrutiny of auditors and lawyers who have a wealth of experience in the field.

At all times we were assured that what we were doing was not only positive from a moral standpoint (since the scope is to enhance the services to children and adults with disabilities) but was also legal and complementary to the statutes of the two foundations. We have sent evidence of this to the Voluntary Organisations Commissioner.

To correct you, the Razzett tal-Hbiberija is a Maltese Foundation, and not a part of the Janatha Stubbs Foundation. The ‘Razzett’ is registered with the Voluntary Organisations Commissioner and ‘trades’, so to speak, as an NGO under Maltese law in all intents and purposes

Although the two organisations and the new foundation have every intention and are legally bound to audit their accounts, an interim analysis by the auditors was also carried out to further ensure that the combined resources of the two founding charities were going to be put to better use, by helping more people and with a greater range of services. It was clear from this analysis (and also commonsense) that there were considerable savings to be had by reducing duplication and decreasing administration costs.

It took us three months of due diligence to ensure that the creation of this new foundation was dealt with in the most comprehensive manner possible. I personally have had informal discussions with parents, government departments, leading businessmen and individuals with disabilities throughout this time.

All seemed very much in favour of pooling resources and investing the saved costs in more services to people with disability.

Today, only a mere two months or so since our inception, we have already seen an increase in the diversity and quality of services previously rendered by the two foundations. It is clear that the total is proving more than the sum of its parts. The majority of the parents whose children use our combined services are already giving us encouraging feedback. My team and I will continue to work hard in the service of the community, and hope that the community, in turn, will continue to support us.

Nathan Farrugia

Chief Executive & Trustee

The Eden & Razzett Foundation