The L-Istrina BOV Piggy Bank Campaign 2016 has gained momentum and is now reaching its final phase. The thirteenth edition of this campaign, that has become synonymous with the L-Istrina fund-raising effort, has already contributed over 1.2 million euro since its inception in 2004.

The campaign sees piggy banks distributed in all primary and secondary schools across Malta and Gozo in a bid to encourage school children to contribute to this campaign, which is specifically dedicated to them. The L-Istrina BOV Piggy Bank campaign is championed by Mr Edgar Preca himself, who has visited over 30 schools since October 2016. During his visits, Mr Preca is given a warm welcome by the children and their teachers, and he speaks candidly about the values of altruism and solidarity, values that are branded in our identity.

Charles Azzopardi, Head PR and Marketing at Bank of Valletta accompanied Mr Preca during a number of these visits, which included four schools in Gozo.

"The aim of this campaign is for children to make a small sacrifice and donate part of their pocket money to help other children who are facing difficult times," said Mr Preca. "The Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation needs thousands of euros every month to help people get the medical care they urgently require." In his interventions, Mr Preca also speaks about the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle to minimize the risk of disease.

"We are soon heading towards the most intensive and interesting phase of the L-Istrina BOV Piggy Bank Campaign," said Mr Azzopardi. "In a couple of weeks, we shall start receiving the money collected, and the coin counting process will kick off. This is a process that will involve both MCCFF volunteers and BOV employees." We trust that, although a daunting task, we shall have even more coins to count that will ultimately enable the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation to assist more people in need."