Puttinu Cares Collect Record Sum of €3,177,135

Mar 30 2024

The Puttinu Cares fundraising marathon, held on Good Friday, set a new record by raising an impressive €3,177,135 in donations, surpassing the previous year’s total of €3,133,430.

This annual event, deeply rooted in the spirit of compassion and solidarity, aims to support Maltese and Gozitan families during their most challenging times. The funds raised are pivotal for the continuation of Puttinu Cares’ noble mission to provide accommodation for families who must travel to England for medical treatment.

Last year, the organisation set its sights on acquiring a building in central London to better serve the needs of the families, building on the success of the €3,011,000 raised in 2021.

Every month, approximately 80 patients make the journey to England for critical medical care. To alleviate the financial and emotional strain on these families, Puttinu Cares maintains 20 apartments in Sutton, offered free of charge. The generosity of the public, through their invaluable donations, enables the organisation to offer this essential support.

The success of this year’s marathon is a testament to the organisation’s unrelenting passion and commitment to helping those in need.

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Lizzo Quits Music Industry Due To Online Backlash

Mar 30 2024

US pop sensation Lizzo, born Melissa Viviane Jefferson, has just announced her departure from the music industry, saying she is tired of the constant online ridicule regarding her appearance and character.

This decision was revealed following criticism for her performance at a Radio City fundraiser for President Joe Biden, amidst serious allegations made by three former dancers who sued Lizzo and her production company last August for sexual harassment and fostering a hostile work environment.

The “About Damn Time” singer expressed her disillusionment on Instagram, stating she only aimed to spread happiness and improve the world through her music, but felt overwhelmed by the negativity, including personal attacks and mockery.

She conveyed her frustration with the words: “I didn’t sign up for this s**t. I quit,” accompanied by a peace sign emoji. Lizzo had previously defended herself against the dancers’ accusations, labelling them as “unbelievable” and expressing disappointment over the situation.

Her participation in the fundraiser, hosted by Mindy Kaling, came under fire from a lawyer representing the accusers, who labeled Lizzo’s headline act as “shameful” given the pending legal dispute.

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Polls Show Support For Smartphone Ban For Children

Mar 30 2024

In the United Kingdom there have been a lot of calls for the government to explore the possibility of banning smartphones for children and minors under the age of 16.

According to a survey more than four in five (83%) parents said they felt smartphones were “harmful” to children and young people, with British charity Parentkind calling on all political parties to include a ban on smartphones in their electoral manifesto months before the general election.

A survey conducted by Parentkind, involving 2,496 parents of school-aged children in England, indicates that 58% of parents think the Government should enforce a ban on smartphones for children under the age of 16.

Along with Parentkind, the challenge to ban smartphones for kid is also being led by mother of three Daisy Greenwell.

Greenwell, who had been discussing the matter privately with a close friend for a while, was informed by another mother that her 11-year-old son already owned a smartphone, just like a third of the boy’s classmates.

“This discussion has really worried me. I don’t want to provide my child with something that I believe will harm her mental well-being and lead to addiction,” she posted on Instagram.

Greenwell and her friend Clare Reynolds have now launched the Parents United for a Smartphone Free Childhood campaign.

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Celebrating World Bipolar Day!

Mar 30 2024

World Bipolar Day is celebrated annually on 30th March, the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, who is believed to have had bipolar disorder.

The scope of World Bipolar Day is to remember that those who have bipolar disorder can achieve great things and to remind them that they are not alone.

When on treatment they are capable of living full, successful lives, despite and in spite of their diagnosis.

Bipolar Disorder is a mental condition that brings severe high and low moods and changes in sleep, energy, thinking, and behaviour. People who have bipolar disorder can have periods in which they feel overly happy and energized, and other times very sad, hopeless, and sluggish. In between the highs and lows, they usually feel normal.

This year’s focus is to show the public that individuals who live with bipolar disorder are more than their diagnosis and to learn more about this disorder and be encouraged to fight the stigma associated with any mental health disorder.

Be Positive Self Help Group Malta holds meetings every second Friday of the month at the Russian Chapel in the President’s Palace in Balzan.

Do contact us on facebook: Be Positive – Bipolar Self Help Malta or email: [email protected] or on our website: www.bipolarmalta.org – we can help each other, or perhaps that partner, you love and care for!

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