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The new bench was finally erected yesterday, almost four years to the day of Anita’s passing.

“This was particularly unpleasant for me since it happened on my constituency and as an MP elected on Mellieħa’s district, I felt the urge to be involved in this project. I am very relieved that we could bring a smile to the faces of the bereaved family members,” Castillo said.

Keith Marshall, the Chief Philanthropy Officer of the Sigma Foundation who helped raise the funds, described the initiative as one that epitomises the power of communities.

“We can all come together on a focal point, one that brought relief and solace following such an unsavoury incident,” he said. “It’s particular poignant that we managed to get the bench in place literally almost to the day of Mrs Gray’s passing. But this is what the Sigma Foundation is all about – connecting people and using collective strength to achieve an aim.”

“We thank all the very kind contributors who answered our battle cry. And big shout goes out to Halmann and Central Asphalt who went that extra mile for creating something so beautiful.”

Roger ‘Waters’ Calleja, who was also involved in the campaign, added that plans are underway for the fragments of the original vandalised bench. 

Anita’s husband Brian and her daughter Lesley thanked the campaigners and benefactors for rebuilding the bench.

“We were devastated to first lose Mum and then to lose her memorial seat to vandalism,” Lesley said. “When Ivan Castillo and friends decided to raise funds to make a replacement seat we were lost for words. It means the world to us and we will never forget their kind hearts.”

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