Construction work begins on RMHC Malta Learning Centre in Qawra

Construction work has started on the RMHC Malta’s state-of-the-art Learning Centre in Qawra, following the recent acquisition of the 360-square metre site.

RMHC Malta was launched in November 2015 as a non-profit organisation to provide resources to improve children’s health and wellbeing. It forms part of the Ronald McDonald House Charities global network which spans more than 63 countries. In 2015 alone, RMHC supported the families of more than 7.1 million sick children around the world.

At the end of last year, the Malta Chapter embarked on a project in collaboration with the Inspire Foundation to set up a centre in the north of Malta to provide specialised support services for children. The Centre’s clients will be children with disabilities or learning difficulties as well as children experiencing the effects of social deprivation and exclusion.

The acquisition of the site in central Qawra is a key milestone in this project and allows RMHC Malta to develop a purpose-built facility, equipped with innovative resources and equipment that will provide a safe, home-from-home learning and therapeutic environment for children. The programmes and services, which will be provided free of charge, will be managed by Inspire which has invaluable expertise in this field.

Malcolm Booker, Chairman of RMHC (Malta) said: “We are very pleased that with the site now in hand and construction underway, we are making major strides towards our goal of opening the RMHC Learning Centre in Qawra. We are working closely with Inspire to ensure that the Centre is designed and equipped to the highest specifications to provide the best possible support to children and their families living in the area.”

Antonello Gauci, CEO of Inspire, also welcomed the development explaining that “this means that we are closer to achieving our target of extending our services to communities living in the Northern region of Malta. Statistics repeatedly show a significant increase in the number of low-income families residing in the area. We know that a challenging socio-economic situation can have a very negative impact on a child’s educational progress. We aim to provide the appropriate intervention, tailored to every child’s specific needs, that will support both them and their families in overcoming life’s challenges”.

Around the world, the Ronald McDonald House Charities has enjoyed the support of the McDonald’s system – owners, operators, suppliers, employees and customers – since it was established in 1974. Locally RMHC’s leading benefactor is Premier Restaurants Malta, the operator of Malta McDonald’s restaurants, which has supported the community in various ways over the last 20 years.

Victor Tedesco, Managing Director of Premier Capital plc, the Developmental Licensee for McDonald’s in the Baltics, Greece, Malta and Romania noted: “RMHC is McDonald’s charity of choice and having supported the organisation for so many years in other countries where we operate McDonald’s restaurants we are looking forward to providing meaningful assistance to the Malta Chapter and this wonderful project.”

McDonald’s in Malta helps RMHC in three ways. It gives a contribution from every Happy Meal sold in its restaurants all year round, provides donation boxes on all counters in its restaurants and pledges all proceeds from its main annual fund-raising initiative, the McHappy Day Campaign held every November, to RHMC.

Donations can be made at RMHC Malta boxes at local McDonald’s restaurants or by participating in the McHappy Day activities, including the Happy Walk to be held on 27th November. For further information please visit www.mchappyday.com.mt.