Tenor launches BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation for underprivileged

The BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation was launched today during a press conference that was addressed by John Cassar White, Chairman of Bank of Valletta and Joseph Calleja. Bank of Valletta and Joseph Calleja are the joint founders of the Foundation.

The purpose of the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation is to perform a social function amongst vulnerable individuals and social groups with particular emphasis on underprivileged children and children with innovative, distinctive or unique artistic or musical talents who are in any way unable to develop or enhance their talents.

BOV Chairman, John Cassar White, said that BOV is delighted to collaborate with Joseph Calleja in a project that is set to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals and social groups.

"When we were discussing our collaboration with Joseph Calleja, the idea of setting up this Foundation was the aspect that really aligned the sense of purpose of the two sides. This initiative that Joseph has come up with is really in tune with the business philosophy of Bank of Valletta.

"Indeed, BOV, as the largest financial institution in Malta, has always considered the society in which it operates as an important stakeholder and has been at the forefront in contributing financial and other resources towards projects that seek to make a tangible contribution towards the very same communities within which it operates," Cassar White said.

Speaking during the launch of the Foundation, Joseph Calleja expressed his excitement at finally being able to launch the Foundation.

"I had been toying with the idea of this Foundation for several years now. I have felt the urge to give something back to the most vulnerable in society for a long time. Now, thanks to Bank of Valletta's support, we are finally here to witness the first hours of this Foundation."

The partnership between Joseph Calleja and Bank of Valletta launched in June 2013 is based on three distinct pillars: positioning BOV as the main sponsor of the Maltese Tenor's annual Summer Concert and the BOV Joseph Calleja Children's Choir; having Joseph Calleja endorse BOV and the services that the Bank offers as Malta's leading financial services provider and; the collaboration on the creation of the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation that was launched today.

The Administrators of the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation are Mr. Roderick Chalmers, chairman, and Fr. Michael Agius, Mr. Lino Cefai, Ms. Helga Ellul, Dr. Alec Lapira, Mrs. Michelle Muscat and Mr. Alfred Pisani, as members.