Yesterday morning, children attending St Angela Nursery School and St Nicholas College Primary B in Rabat gave a warm welcome to Mr Edgar Preca, spouse of H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta as he initiated his school visits linked to the Istrina BOV Piggy Bank 2016 campaign. He was accompanied by Mr Charles Azzopardi, Head PR & Marketing at Bank of Valletta.

Over the coming two months, Mr Preca will be meeting children from around thirty Primary and Secondary schools across Malta and Gozo. The campaign, whose slogan for this year is Mit-Tfal b'Solidarjetà, was launched last Monday by H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta, during her annual meeting with Heads of schools at Verdala Palace.

Mr Preca, whose commitment to this campaign is evident in the number of visits he pays in the run-up of the L-Istrina live broadcast, spoke enthusiastically about his involvement in these visits, "The enthusiasm and spontaneity of the children is a strong force that encapsulates the sense of solidarity and altruism driving the L-Istrina campaign." He thanked the children and their teachers who organised a short programme showcasing the talents of the children. "Keep on using your energy and your voice so that we adults listen to what you have to say. It is our responsibility to listen to what you have to say," said Mr Preca.

Charles Azzopardi gave an overview of the campaign which now marks its thirteenth year. "This campaign calls upon you to be generous with the less fortunate in our society. We all live in a community, whether in school or at the place of work, and we cannot afford to ignore those around is. This is the fulcrum of the L-Istrina BOV Piggy Bank campaign."

Schools are being encouraged to organise activities and events involving their children to raise funds towards this campaign. As in previous editions, the funds collected through the L-Istrina BOV Piggy Bank campaign will this year be presented during the live broadcast on the 26th December.