Pictured above: H.E. Dr Philip Farrugia Randon, President of Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (fourth from left), exchanging copies of the agreement with Leone Sciberras, Chairman of the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation, during the signing ceremony. With them are (from left) Major Francis X. Naudi, MGDF Treasurer; Lilibeth Cachia, MGDF Secretary; and Marchesino Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, MASMOM Chancellor

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), based in Rome, had some months ago agreed to donate €200,000 to the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation (MGDF). The Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (MASMOM) has been entrusted to administer the agreement on behalf of SMOM. Both parties have now signed an agreement with timescales and projection of expenses to regulate the way forward.

The five-year agreement was signed by Dr Philip Farrugia Randon, President of the, MASMOM, and Leone Sciberras, Chairman of the MGDF.

Also signing for MASMOM were Marchesino Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, Chancellor, and Master of Ceremonies Major Raymond P. Miller. Ms Lilibeth Cachia, Secretary, and Major Francis X. Naudi, Treasurer, also signed for the MGDF.

Among the MGDF expenses that the SMOM has committed to fund from this generous donation are the purchase of trained guide dogs from Bratislava and the Helen Keller Regional Centre Guide Dog School of the Italian Blind Union in Messina, Sicily, training of local mobility and orientation instructors, all medication needed by the guide dogs and sponsoring the remuneration of the mobility and orientation instructors, among other expenses.

“This is a momentous occasion for the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation since the funds kindly donated by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta are being put to a specific purpose, as agreed in advance with the Malta Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta,” Mr Sciberras said. “Both the MGDF and the guide dog owners are extremely grateful, and I am convinced we will be enjoying the benefit of this donation for many years to come.”

Dr Farrugia Randon said: “The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is proud to be involved in this venture, which mirrors its 900-year old uninterrupted mission to help others. The Order is impressed with the commitment of the Foundation in its work to provide improved mobility and orientation training for the visually impaired, apart from undertaking to source guide dogs, both puppies that are raised in Malta and fully trained dogs for local visually impaired guide dog users.

“We are seeking to build a long-term relationship and are confident that the Foundation is well placed to deliver on its commitments to the local community.”

Pictured above: H.E. Dr Philip Farrugia Randon, President of Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (fourth from left), exchanging copies of the agreement with Leone Sciberras, Chairman of the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation, during the signing ceremony. With them are (from left) Major Francis X. Naudi, MGDF Treasurer; Lilibeth Cachia, MGDF Secretary; and Marchesino Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, MASMOM Chancellor