Kate Gonzi visits students, teachers at fund-raising car wash

Students and teachers at Antonio Bosio boys' secondary school in Gzira yesterday rolled up their sleeves during a marathon car wash organised to raise funds for a former student receiving treatment for cancer.

The event, one in a series of fund-raisers, aimed to ensure that the 16-year-old who is fighting liver cancer enjoys a happy Easter.

The teenager said he appreciated what was being done for him. "It's a nice gesture," he said adding that it gave him the courage to keep going.

As students and teachers washed the cars spotless, the Prime Minister's wife Kate Gonzi, who attended the event, noted that such initiatives transmitted a message of support.

"They also show that school is not only about the curriculum but also about instilling values and building strong characters," she said.

Mrs Gonzi spoke about the enriching value of helping one another - a value that was needed in today's fast world where people tend to become more individualistic.

While stressing the importance of voluntary work, Mrs Gonzi explained how earlier yesterday morning she had attended an activity organised by the Girl Guides.

"When I told them I was coming here they spontaneously donated Lm30 for the cause," she smiled.

Headmaster Raymond Portelli said that the school's strength lay in the unity between teachers and students and the parents' co-operation.

"Teachers and students came together, on a Saturday, for a genuine cause," he said, proudly adding that they had been washing cars since 8 a.m.

Lm1,500 had already been collected for the boy with the contribution of other schools. More "Happy Easter funds" were to be collected through yesterday's car wash and during a sports marathon to be held next Saturday.

The fund-raising marathon, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., will see 14 hours of badminton, football and table tennis.