HSBC supports hospital's Special Unit

The HSBC Cares for Children Fund will be covering the costs of specialised equipment of the children's Special Unit in the Prof. Guzé Aquilina primary school in Sannat.

The agreement was announced by HSBC Cares for Children Fund chairman Chris Hothersall during a recent visit to the Special Unit together with Minister Giovanna Debono.

The unit caters for children who suffer from serious physical, sensory, emotional and intellectual disabilities, therefore requiring highly specialised equipment.

A total of 17 children aged between three and 19 attend the unit, each receiving constant individual attention. A nurse service is constantly available, while carers conduct occupational and speech therapy and physiotherapy with the children.

The unit forms part of a primary school, which has 300 pupils and as far as is possible, the children from the Special Unit take part in general school activities such as assembly, school outings, stage productions and congregation.

The HSBC Cares for Children Fund first began helping the Special Unit at Sannat primary school in June 2001 with a donation to help fund equipment including a Sensory Integration Kit. This latest agreement will help the unit to continue improving its programmes, developed by the renowned Italian Pedagogist, Dr Ughetta Manfredi, to develop the children's self-help, academic skills, language and communication skills.

Joseph Spiteri, head teacher, said that the support they were receiving from the HSBC Cares for Children Fund has enabled them to purchase some very important items which were a priority for the unit and which will help us to continue to give our children the best possible levels of care.

"This type of support gives a great boost to all those working in the unit and renews their determination to give the children the best out of life," Mr Spiteri said.