Rock For Richmond 2023 Organisers Face ‘Appalling’ Bureaucratic Red Tape
Mario Vella – a Maltese musical artist and Brikkuni frontman – has taken to social media to denounce the “appalling” bureaucratic red tape which is making it so difficult to organise this year’s edition of “Rock For Richmond”.
“I don’t even want to imagine what an artist or a group could do if they tried to organise something for themselves,” said Vella on social media.
Rock For Richmond is a charity festival which has been organised by the Richmond Foundation three times, prior to this year’s edition.
The Richmond Foundation has worked to promote mental well-being in Malta, while increasing awareness surrounding mental health struggles, for almost three decades.
This year’s (hopefully) fourth installation of Rock For Richmond is being stonewalled, according to Vella.
“I ask the concerned authorities to intervene and raise some sense because they are destroying every initiative that does not fall under ultra commercial organisations or governmental entities.”
“Among many items that are being requested, there is also a risk assessment of the Greek Theatre of Mosta for which we are being quoted around €500.”
Vella asked for any assessors who might be in a position to volunteer their help for the charity fundraiser to go ahead to do so.
Proceeds raised through the Rock For Richmond foundation over the years have been added to funds helping to sustain free and professional mental health services being offered to people in Malta.
Given that public and political figures have started to join the ranks of those seeking to prioritise mental health as a core part of human wellbeing, and that recent tragedies have once again highlighted the importance of psychological well-being, a case can be made for organising initiatives such as this to be much simpler, and less expensive.
“It is ridiculous that we have to rub our face in all this red tape in order to do a fundraiser. For goodness’ sake, resolve this matter immediately and let us live.”
Tag someone to show support for this year’s Rock For Richmond