Christmas Stamp surcharge distributed to Philantropic Organisations

A total of 25 philanthropic organisations have benefited from the 1996 Christmas Stamp Surcharge, which reached a total of Lm3,895.

The presentation was held at the Ministry for Transport and Ports. Cheques were presented by Minister Joe Debono Grech, in the presence of the Postmaster General, Mr Anthony J Mangion and members of the committee, which is appointed annually to recommend to the Minister the distribution of the surcharge.

Minister Joe Debono Grech said that Committee Chairperson Anne Agius Ferrante had informed him that she regrettably could not attend for the surcharge distribution as she was indisposed. She asked him to convey on her behalf a message to the public to continue using stamps with surcharge in order to increase the funds which can be distributed to philanthropic organisations.

Pointing out that thousands of pounds have been distributed to Child Welfare Organisations since the surcharge was introduced in 1969, Minister Debono Grech remarked that apparently the Maltese public had not fully understood the intention behind the negligible surcharge and he appealed for more use of the stamps with a surcharge.

The Minister expressed his gratitude to Mrs Agius Ferrante and her hard-working committee, and to the local media for their assistance in promoting sales of these stamps.

Organisations benefiting from the 1996 Surcharge proceeds include 13 Children's Homes, one home for Children with Special Needs, two services for Children with Special Needs, and 9 Groups for Children with Special Needs.