Elderly of the Year award opened to couples

The Elderly of the Year award, which is now in its 12th edition, has this year been opened to couples too.

Parliamentary Secretary Helen D'Amato said yesterday the prize is given in recognition to an elderly person or couple whose way of keeping themselves active serves as a model and inspiration to other elderly people in a society built on interdependence, solidarity between generations and where elderly people are integrated in all sectors of the Maltese society.

Ms D'Amato urged more voluntary organisations, parishes and local councils to nominate elderly people for the prize. The award gives recognition to people who voluntarily help others, who are of inspiration to other elderly people, who work to improve culture and preserve heritage and who promote solidarity between generations.

Individuals or couples who are Maltese citizens and who reach pensionable age by the end of the year and who normally live in Malta or Gozo can be nominated.

The nomination forms can be picked up from the board secretary at the parliamentary secretary's office in Valletta or Victoria.

The completed forms need to be taken by hand until midday on September 16. Ms D'Amato said her secretariat will be holding a number of activities to mark the World Day for the Elderly on October 1.