Today is International Men’s Day, and this year, the theme of the day celebrates positive male role models as well as raising awareness of men’s issues, including mental health, toxic masculinity and the prevalence of male suicide. In honour of this special day, we decided to celebrate by offering kudos to 10 incredible Maltese male role models who are doing so much good, in so many ways!

1. Nathan Farrugia

Philanthropist Nathan Farrugia has been part of Inspire Malta for years. As President of the NGO, together with other members, he works to make a change for the better in employment, education, health and social inclusion of persons with disabilities in Malta. The record-breaking athlete is also a TEDx speaker who has spoken about motivation and making a difference in the world we live in.

2. Joseph Calleja

Widely known as ‘The Maltese Tenor’, Joseph Calleja has made a name for himself (and for Malta) as one of the biggest international artists in the classical scene. The home-grown leading and grammy-nominated lyric tenor also set up the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation to help young people in the arts and culture industry, awarding scholarships to promising performers.

3. Winston J Zahra Jnr

After successfully running a local hotel chain, Winston J Zahra Jnr is setting up an international hotel chain with the likes of footballers Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs! Set to open in Spring 2019, the five-star boutique hotel will have 40 bedrooms, two presidential suites, two restaurants and private dining in the wine cellars for up to 100 people. Now that’s a remarkable hotel. Zahra also set up the Lisa Maria Foundation, an NGO that aims to safeguard children and young people from harm.

4. Andrew Schembri

Andrew Schembri is saving the environment, one clean-up at a time! Schembri founded the NGO Żibel, an environmental conservation organisation that organises clean-ups, both on land and at sea! The next clean-up is a micro-plastic clean-up being held on the Saturday 24^th November at Għajn Tuffieħa Bay - go help him out!

5. Charles Van Maarschalkerweerd Borg

Charles Van Maarschalkerweerd Borg, one half of design duo Charles & Ron, who, together with partner in love and fashion Ron (an equally amazing human being who has made Malta his adoptive home), is slaying the fashion game! Charles & Ron participate in various fashion shows around the world in which they showcase unique Maltese cultural elements and motifs through their work - the most recent being LA Fashion Week!

6. Bjorn Formosa

Bjorn Formosa is one courageous man. Diagnosed with ALS, Bjorn constantly raises awareness about the condition. DAR Bjorn was built to help people with the same condition, and now Bjorn is pushing to open a second residential home for ALS sufferers, continually raising awareness! He also organises fundraising events in aid of ALS Malta, the most recent being a Christmas Art Exhibition held at the Hilton, just last weekend.

7. Jacob Cachia

Jacob Cachia, known as Titanium Man on the Maltese Islands, opened a Pay It Forward coffee shop in Marsascala, together with his mum, Sarah, after waking up from a coma back in 2013. Jacob’s Brew aims to help families in similar situations by donating a percentage of the profits to the NGO Survivors Malta. And it doesn’t stop there! Receipts are stamped with ‘pay it forward,’ and patrons have the opportunity to pass on the receipt to someone needing support, who can then head over to Jacob’s Brew for a free pot of tea or coffee and support! Such a sweet initiative!

8. Samuel Farrugia

You may have seen 13-year-old Samuel on Xarabank. He is a spokesperson for the visually impaired and has recently published his first children’s book called Samuel and the Magic Tooth. He will also be part of the cast for Teatru Malta’s Gawgaw – A Panto in the Dark, a multi-sensory production putting people in the world of those who are visually impaired - you go Samuel!

9. Neil Agius

Neil Agius, together with Gilbert Bartolo and Richard Zerafa, swam around Malta to increase awareness of the destructive reality of plastic pollution earlier this year. Neil says it’s all about taking action. And before you object, no, you don’t need to swim around the island to show your support! All you need to do is pick up three pieces of plastic waste, take a photo of the items collected, and share it on Facebook or Instagram using #WaveofChange.

10. Chris Mamo

Athlete Chris Mamo is no stranger to insane challenges, and just last month, ran up and down Valletta's City Gate Steps in Valletta for an entire 12 hours, from 8:18am to 8:18pm to raise money to battle Parkinson’s Disease. Just to give you some perspective, the man ran for half a day; or about the time you would need to watch the first four Harry Potter movies, and the first 20 minutes of the fifth!

What do you think of these heroes? We could all do with a few more of their sort about, don't you think?