HSBC Malta is inviting the public to join its employees and their families in a toy collection drive to help spread a little happiness among children in less fortunate circumstances over the festive period.

The bank is joining 18 other countries around the bank’s network for this initiative which has been held regularly since 2007. Last year 18,166 toys were collected and distributed.

Activities around the participating HSBC countries were launched on November 20 to mark the United Nations Universal Children’s Day.

Each year, this date promotes international togetherness, and improves children’s welfare. It was also on this day in 1989 when the UN General assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

In Malta, the bank decided to donate the toys to the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS), which incorporates Aġenzija Appoġġ, Aġenzija Sedqa, and LEAP, as well as the Angel Three Club.

FSWS coordinates the Children’s Dream project for children whose families face various social difficulties, whilst the Angel Three Club supports children and relatives of inmates, ex-inmates, and victims of crime.  

Toys can be dropped off in the customer area of all HSBC branches as well as at HSBC Head Office in Qormi and HSBC Headquarters in Valletta during opening hours until December 12. For health reasons, only new toys should be donated and these should not be gift wrapped for security reasons.

In Malta, the HSBC Malta Foundation runs a number of programmes focused on helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds.