Puttinu Cares’ annual marathon is just three days away and while preparations are well underway, the charity group is also appealing to businesses to donate and sponsor rooms in their new building in Central London Zone 1, UK.
Speaking to WhosWho.mt, Puttinu Cares CEO and Co-Founder Rennie Zerafa remarks that its priority at the moment is to get as much lodging available to patients as possible.
“At the moment 60 to 90 people are traveling to the UK for treatment every month. Our worry is the possibility of running out of space. Now, our wish is to complete the project in Central London as soon as possible,” he says.
Puttinu Cares is a children’s cancer support group that was founded in 2002 by the late and beloved Victor Calvagna and Rennie.
Its first ever project was to make the children’s ward, at the time in St Luke’s hospital, more fun and to liven the environment young patients were surrounded with.
Throughout the years Puttinu Cares grew, through the generosity of many families, companies, and individuals whose donations helped many cancer patients in Malta but also abroad.
The building in Sutton, UK, used by Maltese patients / Facebook
Rennie explains that Puttinu Cares has two buildings in Sutton and the most recent one in London. “As you know, what costs €3 million in Sutton will cost €30 million in London because it is highly expensive,” he continues.
The three-storey building was bought at €8.9 million. Now Puttinu has applied for an extension of the building aiming to be given the go ahead to build an additional storey which would allow the organisation to build 27 new studio apartments to be used by patients and their families. If given the stamp of approval, the whole project would cost around €25 million.
President Angele Cuschieri and CEO Rennie Zerafa infront of the building in London / Facebook
Businesses or individuals can be etched in the building’s history by donating money directly or sponsoring a room as follows:
For every sponsorship, a plaque with the donor’s name or their company or organisation will be placed in one of the apartments.
Rennie understands that some companies are smaller than others and do not have the means and resources to make such donations. Nonetheless, he notes that every little helps.
Asked how they can contribute, he explained that Puttinu has commemorative pieces that are handed out for a donation of over €300.
“In turn, for such donations - who are also greatly appreciated – they are given small replicas of the buildings in the UK. These are framed, through a sponsorship by a local company and signed by Dr Calvagna’s wife, Puttinu President Angele Cuschieri and me as a thank you for the generosity,” Rennie says.
Additionally, he explained that since Puttinu will have its annual Good Friday fundraising marathon, in addition to its annual Mellieħa to Floriana walk, people can donate as much as they wish. The marathon will be airing live on TVM and local TV channels on Friday 29th from 9:15am to 3pm and 9pm to midnight. Meanwhile, more information on the walk can be found here.
“Ultimately, our wish is to leave something behind because we won’t be here forever. That is why, when we were looking at buildings in London, we insisted on finding one in freehold so that the building is bought by Maltese and Gozitan citizens and remains under their ownership. And we succeeded,” Rennie says passionately.
He continues that the dream was and will always remain that Maltese and Gozitan citizens are able to travel for treatment, at no expense.
In his final appeal to businesses, he says that when one donates, “it’s a blessing and that their generosity will be reciprocated to them.”
Rennie notes that while as a country people often find themselves in disagreement – either because of opposing feast bands, politics, or football teams – the communities always find a way to join together and give a helping hand.
“We gave it our all to alleviate the patient’s suffering, and the outcome has been astonishing. To the businessmen out there I tell them; work hard, do it with passion but don’t forget to be generous. Because every little helps and you will be blessed,” Rennie concluded.
