Nationalist MP Claudio Grech will be giving up his honoraria over the legislature to finance a foundation to help under-privileged communities in the first district.

He unveiled plans to set up the ‘Save a Life Foundation’ this morning.

Addressing a news conference, Mr Grech said the foundation will work with the Caritas Foundation for Rehabilitation of Drug Users and the Puttinu Cares Foundation to deliver projects for children and youths in the under-privileged communities of first district.

Mr Grech said he will augment the honoraria with funds from other fundraising measures with Caritas and Puttinu Cares.

The foundation, which will be applying for enrollment with the Commissioner of Voluntary Organisations, will be governed by a full disclosure of financial statements certified by external auditors and will be governed by an external independent supervisory board which will review and approve its accounts and operations.

Mr Grech gave a detailed run-through of the social problems affecting the localities within the district and how the concentration of these problems was leading to a marked increase in underprivileged families.

“The pressing problems faced by the youths in this district need more active participation and I believe it is our collective duty that we focus our efforts to emancipate everyone, because everyone’s life is valuable and thus that’s why we want to contribute towards saving lives”, he said.

The foundation will partner NGOs in the locality to focus exclusively on projects aimed at maximising opportunities for social equalisation and implement  measures to keep young people away from substance abuse.