Over  50 HSBC Malta employees ran, swam, cycled and walked across Gozo and Malta as part of the HSBC Challenge 2017. This event was aimed at bringing smiles to children by raising funds in aid of NGO Dr Klown.
The event took off from Gozo with a 6km swim from Ħondoq ir-Rummien to Ċirkewwa. A shorter, 2km swim started off from Comino. The Aħrax area served as the backdrop to the 10km or 5km run, whilst the 50km and the optional 15km cycling circuit was set in the picturesque Mġarr area. The 5km walk ended at the Paradise Bay area, where participants were greeted by HSBC Malta Chief Risk Officer (CRO) Joyce Grech and other senior bank officials, family members and colleagues.
The sum contributed by the participants was in addition to an amount collected at an earlier cycling event organised by a group of HSBC employees on 30th March. Part of the donation will be used to print and distribute especially-designed Dr Klown playing cards to children during the hospital visits by ‘Klowns’.

Established in 2010, Dr Klown was set up with the aim of offering clown doctor services in Mater Dei Hospital, in the process making hospital less boring for children. Volunteers undergo a specialised training programme including artistic skill development as well as psychological support and training.
HSBC Malta CRO Joyce Grech said: “My colleagues put a lot of energy and dedication into this charity event. Knowing that this hard work will aid the Dr Klown volunteers and ensure that the hospital environment is less painful for the young patients and visitors is surely well worth all this effort.”
“Special thanks go to all those involved in the organisation of this challenge. Their efforts certainly went into a commendable cause,” she said.
This is the seventh time the HSBC Challenge has been organised. It was organised by the HSBC Malta Foundation and the Bank’s Sports and Social Committee.