Ninety-seven-year-old Joseph Borg Bonello, a resident at Zammit Clapp home for the elderly, was recently awarded the Nazzareno Vassallo Award organised by CareMalta, during a ceremony held at San Anton Palace.

Mr Borg Bonello was chosen for this award for his contribution in various sectors of society to this very day. He is still active as the president of the Anglo Maltese League, the Malta Billiards and Snookers Association and the residents’ committee of  Zammit Clapp home.

The selection board was chaired by Lawrence Gonzi and included former journalist Ariadne Massa, university lecturer Holger Saliba and gerontology expert Rosette Farrugia Bonello.

Mr Borg Bonello’s contribution as chiarman of the Friends of Mount Carmel Hospital Committee was also recognised by the selection board. Dr Gonzi in his report noted that today mental health has become a very important subject since many are realising that the brain can become ill as much as the rest of the body, so there is no room for any prejudices in this sector but a need for more of an effort to provide care and compassion to whoever suffers from mental health issues.

During the same event, former minister Joseph Micallef Stafrace was given a special award for his long contribution in the political and legal sectors. The board also noted his contribution as an author having published his latest book Mill-ħażna ta’ tifkiritet – a collection of articles he had published in Leħen is-Sewwa – in December.

During this occasion, messages by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Vassallo Group chairman Nazzareno Vassallo and CareMalta CEO Natalie Briffa Farrugia were also delivered.

The event marked the 20th anniversary of the award, set up five years after CareMalta was founded.