'Racist campaign' discouraged donations

The generosity of the Maltese people during Monday's L-Istrina charity TV marathon was yesterday lauded by organiser Peppi Azzopardi, although he was hurt that some people "of racist beliefs" tried to dissuade others from donating money.

He said a "systematic campaign" had been ongoing over the past few days both by e-mail and through the distribution of flyers.

Mr Azzopardi's first comment when contacted was to slam this campaign which, he said, was organised because a small percentage of the funds collected would go to help refugees. "It hurts that there are some who make a distinction between people in need," he said.

Mr Azzopardi said Where's Everybody?, which organises the event, had decided not to make a fuss about this before the marathon but added he could not refrain from expressing his disappointment about the issue now that the event was over.

He pointed out that the refugees would get less than one per cent of the funds, adding that if there was any criticism to be made, this was that they were getting too little.

Despite the campaign against them, refugees were among the generous people who donated money for those less fortunate. In fact, a refugee from Somalia, who has been in Malta for 18 months, presented a cheque for Lm400 collected by refugees living at the open centre. Mr Azzopardi described this as one of the most touching moments of this year's L-Istrina.

"There are always moments during L-Istrina which are so emotional I am left speechless, including when we get donations from prisoners. This was another such moment. The refugees donated a small amount each, but it was a big gesture," he said.

Mr Azzopardi said that in his opinion animal welfare associations should have been among the marathon's beneficiaries.

President Eddie Fenech Adami had words of praise for L-Istrina. He described Monday's marathon as "a marvellous experience" which showed that the Maltese people care for each other. "This is the hallmark of the Maltese people's character," he said.

"I have taken part in L-Istrina several times before but never in such an intense way as this year," he told The Times.

In fact, the President and Mrs Fenech Adami visited the tent where the annual fund raising marathon was being held four times.

"There was a lot of enthusiasm, which reflected the feeling of the whole country. You could feel the people's solidarity."

As the head of the Malta Community Chest Fund, the biggest benefactor of L-Istrina, the President comes into contact with a number of people who need help. He said that although socially the situation in Malta was good, there was still the need to remember people who were in need.

He pointed out that the MCCF received "inexhaustible" demands for help, with the most urgent cases being dealt with first.

"I believe that in every society there will be people who need the help of others," he said.

More than Lm700,000 were collected during the one-day marathon. Added to the Lm590,000 netted from the auction sale of the 59 BMWs used during last month's Commonwealth summit the total sum is over Lm1.29 million. Still more is expected to be collected during an art auction in a few days' time.

"I hope that the sum will continue increasing," Mr Azzopardi said, adding that the telephone lines are usually kept open during the auction so that people can continue making their donations.

With regard to the fact that this year's marathon was the last to be organised by Where's Everybody?, Mr Azzopardi said L-Istrina was so important for people in need that it could no longer depend on a small group of people. He said last year he had written to the Public Broadcasting Services about the need to have a foundation taking care of the marathon's organisation.

"We would like other people to contribute," he said.

He praised the numerous volunteers who gave their time to help raise money for L-Istrina.

"There were young people who even spent Christmas Day helping us instead of going out. I urge more people to give their time, which is sometimes more precious than money," he said.