Queen recognises Maltese ALS patient and philanthropist as 82nd Commonwealth Point of Light
The award was presented by British High Commissioner Stuart Gill OBE to Bjorn Formosa for creating Dar Bjorn, a home for those suffering neurodegenerative diseases.
Bjorn Formosa, representing Malta, was recently recognised by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as the 82nd Commonwealth Point of Light in honour of his exceptional voluntary service supporting those living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Bjorn is the founder of ‘ALS Malta Foundation’ working to find a cure for ALS and improve sufferers’ quality of life. Formerly a successful young entrepreneur, Bjorn was diagnosed with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord in 2014, and given three years to live.
Since then, he has built a residential home for 13 people suffering from ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases, which he now runs with his wife. As his health continues to deteriorate, Bjorn has raised over €2.5 million for a second, larger residential centre spread across eight floors, with a boutique hotel and hospital environment for up to 50 patients. Half of ALS sufferers in Malta rely on the foundation’s support and the foundation’s funds go towards the purchase of motorised wheelchairs, equipment that allows users to communicate, and frequent physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.
As part of the legacy of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London 2018, Her Majesty The Queen - as Head of the Commonwealth - is thanking inspirational volunteers across the 53 Commonwealth nations for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond, by recognising one volunteer from each Commonwealth country each week in the two years following the summit.
By sharing these stories of service, the Commonwealth Points of Light awards celebrate inspirational acts of volunteering across the Commonwealth and help inspire others to make their own contribution to tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time.
Each Commonwealth Point of Light receives a personalised certificate signed by Her Majesty The Queen. The award for Bjorn was presented on Thursday 20 December at Dar Bjorn by Stuart Gill OBE, UK High Commissioner in Malta.
Bjorn Formosa said:
I am so honoured to receive this award. I am overwhelmed with joy to be recognized by Her Majesty.
Stuart Gill OBE, UK High Commissioner in Malta said:
I am delighted to be able to present this Commonwealth Points of Light Award to Bjorn Formosa.
Since being diagnosed with ALS in 2015, Bjorn’s tireless work to raise awareness and to help fellow sufferers and their families has been truly inspirational. His work and dedication are a true reflection of the spirit of the awards through which Her Majesty The Queen, as Head of the Commonwealth, thanks individual volunteers across the 53 Commonwealth nations for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond.
The Commonwealth is a diverse community of 53 nations that work together to promote prosperity, democracy and peace. The Heads of Government meeting brought together leaders from all the 53 Member countries to reaffirm common values, address shared global challenges and agree how to work to create a better future for all citizens, especially young people.
Voluntary service is a vital part of this agenda, which is why Her Majesty The Queen has chosen to recognise outstanding volunteers across the Commonwealth in this special way.