Maltacom is preparing to install the phone-in system that will enable the public to pledge their donations, via a telephone call, to L-Istrina on Monday.

It is the sixth year that Maltacom is playing an active role in the annual fund-raising campaign.

The company said the donation line system is a unique success in the field of fund-raising in Malta, having been used efficiently by entities including charities, philanthropic societies and political parties. The aim is to exploit the potential of the system to enhance the quality of fund-raising campaigns throughout the year, Maltacom said.

Over the past six years - between 1999 and 2004 - during the L-Istrina fund-raising campaign organised at Christmas time, no less than Lm2.8 million has been raised through telephone calls.

Over 120 lines are being provided to L-Istrina this year with 90 of them dedicated to incoming donations and the remaining 30 reserved for the coordination of activities that form part of the varied programme taking place during the marathon.

Maltacom will once again make its own donation which will consist in the waiving of fees due to the company for services rendered during l-Istrina.

Last year, this figure was Lm35,000, while funds raised from telephone calls during the day-long campaign reached Lm770,000.