President Myriam Spiteri Debono has met a nine-year-old British girl whose decision to donate her hair to help children who have lost theirs due to illness has inspired a charitable book in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund.
Ria-Rose Leia Moore donated her hair while on holiday in Malta, where her aunt works as a hairdresser, a statement by the Office of the President said Froday. The hair was given to the UK-based Little Princess Trust, a non-governmental organisation that provides real-hair wigs free of charge to children who lose their hair because of medical conditions or treatment. The Trust’s work mirrors that of the Malta Community Chest Fund, which similarly supports patients in Malta.
Ria’s gesture inspired the children’s book Xagħar Ria (Ria’s Hair), written by family friend Patricia Bondin. Proceeds from the book will go towards supporting the Malta Community Chest Fund’s ongoing mission to assist individuals and families in need.
Recognising the educational value of such an initiative, particularly in encouraging children to help others, the Malta Community Chest Fund requested a courtesy meeting between Ria and the President at San Anton Palace. The initiative also aligns with the Fund’s annual BOV Piggy Bank campaign, which promotes altruism and social responsibility among children.
During the meeting, Ria explained that her decision was motivated by stories she had heard about other children losing their hair because of illness. She said the idea to donate her hair was entirely her own, and that she remained determined to go ahead despite knowing it would take time for her hair to grow back to its original length.
President Spiteri Debono commended Ria for showing a strong sense of responsibility and altruism at such a young age, noting that the initiative was undertaken voluntarily and with genuine concern for others. She encouraged Ria to continue promoting similar acts of kindness within her community and among her school friends.
Also present for the meeting were Ria’s mother, author Patricia Bondin, illustrator Lynn Zammit Russell, editor Professor Toni Aquilina, and Joanne Micallef, founder of Faraxa Publishing House. Representatives from the Malta Community Chest Fund and the Office of the President were also in attendance.
The Malta Community Chest Fund accepts donations of human hair, which are made into wigs by specialists abroad and funded by the MCCF before being provided to patients with various medical conditions. Further information is available on https://www.mccff.org.mt/en/services/wigs/.
