Pictured above: Mrs Sarah Watkinson, HSBC Malta Foundation deputy chairperson together with Mrs Anna Zammit McKeon, President of the Malta Diabetes Association overlooking the children during the recreational activites organised as part of the annual summer camp

HSBC Malta Foundation has been supporting the Malta Diabetes Association for over a decade.  Mrs Sarah Watkinson, HSBC Malta Foundation deputy chairperson visited the children participating in the Summer Camp during one of their activities being held at Villa Bologna, Attard.  HSBC Malta Foundation is the main sponsor of this Annual Summer Camp.

Fifty children and adolescents aged between 5 and 16 years will enjoy a number of recreational activities, workshops and health topics that will positively affect their lives.

Mrs Zammit McKeon said: “The aim is to primarily empower our youngsters to manage their diabetes effectively. The camp serves as a breakthrough for several of our camp attendees as they learn how to self-inject for the very first time at the camp.”

The camp leaders are led by a team of voluntary members from the Maltese Diabetes Association and also, doctors and nurses from the Diabetes and Endocrine Centre at Mater Dei Hospital. Besides the recreational activities, several educational workshops are held on a variety of topics relating to the lives of these youngsters living with diabetes.

Established in 1981, the Diabetes Association is a voluntary non-governmental organisation aimed at educating its members and the public about diabetes. It provides its young members with educational talks, family support group, juvenile diabetes support group known as DAISY, and various activities including weekend live-ins and an annual camp for juvenile and teenage members. The Association also publishes an in-house magazine, called “Id-Dijabete w Sahhtek” offering a wide range of articles and a bi-monthly newsletter. Further information can be obtained from the website: www.diabetesmalta.org

Mrs Sarah Watkinson said: “Children suffering from diabetes need understanding of their special needs and their parents and carers need to be equipped with the right knowledge to support them. The long-standing support by HSBC Malta Foundation helps children dealing with diabetes gain invaluable experiences.”