Summer holidays started a couple of days late for a group of students from Sta Luċija Girls' Junior Lyceum, but none of them seem to mind as they had a special mission to accomplish!
This was to deliver the proceeds of fund-raising activities organised by the Animal Awareness Team at the school to two animal charities: the Island Sanctuary for dogs at Tas-Silġ and the Stray Animal Support Group (SASG), which mostly takes care of stray cats.
The students had shown great enthusiasm, and within the short space of a week collected the sum of €700, while the large table in the School Library, which had been designated as a collection point, groaned under the weight of dozens of tins of pet food, as well as bags of dry food; pet toys; and dog and cat treats.
On July 1, the students accompanied by their teachers, visited the Island Sanctuary, where History teacher Sandro Sciberras gave the students a short talk about fortifications in general and Tas-Silġ Fort in particular.
The students were then given a guided tour of the sanctuary where they made the acquaintance of the 150 or so dog residents, as well as meeting the volunteers on duty who were going about their varied tasks such as feeding, medicating sick dogs, washing dishes and cleaning.
After the tour, Claire Gafa, on behalf of the Island Sanctuary, received from the students a cheque for €350, as well as two trolleys full of dog food. The students were in turn presented with a Young Supporter Certificate, which the Island Sanctuary chose this occasion to launch.
This certificate scheme is intended to recognise the achievements of individuals and groups of young people who help the sanctuary.
Due to an animal related emergency, a representative from the Stray Animals Support Group couldn't make it to the presentation ceremony.
However, one of the teachers from the Animal Awareness team delivered their cheque for €350, as well as the cat food brought in by students, in person.
Janine Vella from SASG showed them round the recovery room where various cats were being well cared for while recovering from neutering and other operations.
Ms Vella sent a letter to the school thanking the teachers and students for their efforts.