The Remax & Friends Foundation donated over €85,000 to charitable ventures in 2017, bringing the total sum raised since it was set up to more than €300,000.

The foundation, formed in 2014 to provide financial support to Remax employees should a serious illness arise, also lends a helping hand to voluntary organisations that focus on children and adolescents suffering from chronic diseases. Other cases may also be considered.

The foundation was set up in honour of Remax team member Karl Cutajar, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Remax Malta CEO and foundation board member Kevin Buttigieg said: “As a Maltese company we are aware that we have a lot of lives to support – over 400 – and that is a responsibility we take seriously.”

While a percentage of the funds raised are available to Remax employees and their families, the remaining money is donated to other charities across Malta.

“Remax Malta directors have their own personal experiences of loss so they can understand why it is so important to support the work of charities that help children in need.”

Jeff Buttigieg, Winston Zahra Snr, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Kevin Buttigieg and Sarah Borda Bondin.

The foundation has donated €20,000 to L-Istrina, €5,000 to Id-Dar tal-Providenza, €5,000 to the Blossom Foundation, €2,500 to Beating Hearts Malta – the first Maltese association for adults and children with congenital heart defects, €5,000 to support Mozart at Midnight and €5,000 to iGaming Idol.

The foundation is also a major supporter of Puttinu Cares, which raises money for children suffering from cancer, and has worked closely with its members to improve the Rainbow Ward at Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre at Mater Dei Hospital.

In 2016, the foundation invested €37,000, which were used to create a new play area outside the ward, and has since invested a further €48,000 in the design and furnishing of the indoor recreational area.

This area, created for families to relax together, features a football-themed corner, a theatrical space, a pirate ship, an arts and craft space and a dolls’ house. This was launched in the presence of President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Health Minister Chris Fearne and MP Claudette Buttigieg last year.

President Coleiro Preca said: “We are very proud of Remax not only because it has taken its corporate social responsibility seriously to raise funds and distribute them to important causes but it has also led the way in its industry, with many other companies following suit.”

The foundation was also the main sponsor of the Alive Foundation, which raised numerous sums of money in aid of cancer research for children last year.