Reference is made to a letter by Marika Farrugia, executive secretary, Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (TMI 12 August).

The Help Vlada campaign was launched at a press conference on 16 July and on that same day Vlada was informed by the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations that the campaign had to be registered with his office as a temporary organisation despite the fact that there is no registered statutory organisation behind the campaign.

In fact, it is just Vlada’s mother who is administering monies on behalf of her daughter to help her undergo treatment at the Neurovita clinic. Monies are being collected through various channels including the web, mentions at public events and in the media.

Albeit the fact that the Voluntary Organisation Act states that “A voluntary organisation may be established as a temporary organisation if it is an organisation formed with one specific purpose, including the raising of funds for a specific social purpose or for the benefit of another enrolled voluntary organisation, or the carrying out of a particular task in support of a social purpose or of another voluntary organisation” at no point it is mentioned in the Act that an individual or individuals collecting money are considered an organisation.

Nonetheless, Vlada’s family accepted the way the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations interpreted the paragraph quoted above and Vlada’s mother did pay the e40 required on 17 July. Since then the campaign has been registered as a temporary organisation. In fact, the Help Vlada campaign is the first ever temporary organisation registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations.

On Vlada behalf, I would like to thank The Malta Independent for promoting her story and for publishing it at the first opportunity.

Oliver Mallia

Help Vlada Campaign