About Lm20,000 were raised for the Missionary Society of St Paul (MSSP) missions in the Third World by 7 p.m. yesterday at the 60-hour Ohloq Tbissima live broadcasting marathon on Melita Cable's Channel 30.
The marathon, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Labour leader Alfred Sant last Friday at noon, comes to an end tonight at midnight.
A host of local celebrities and MPs are taking part in the event, now in its fourth year, which aims to help the MSSP missionaries in their work in the Philippines, Peru, Pakistan and in Malta at the St Joseph's Home which they run.
Activities for all the family are being held in the home's courtyard where Mass will be said this morning at 9 and screened on TVM, Super 1 and Net TV. Today's programme includes a police dog show, a 'Twenty Questions' quiz, karaoke, a children's corner, dance performances, and the Joy gospel singers. An evening show, compered by Moira Delia, Valerie Vella, and Joseph Chetcuti featuring local talent, starts at 8.
Last year, the marathon raised Lm63,132 which was distributed among the MSSP missions by December. In Peru the MSSP cares for homeless children and runs medical clinics, while in Pakistan the MSSP runs four schools attended by hundreds of children. The MSSP missionaries have recently taken over the parish of Bataan in the Philippines where they are heavily involved in education. In Malta, the MSSP runs the St Joseph Home in St Venera which takes in boys from problem families.
The Centru Animazzjoni Missjunarja (CAM), a voluntary organisation within the MSSP, was set up around 35 years ago. CAM branched out about three years ago and incorporates CAM Productions International, which produces religious productions and came up with the idea to hold a broadcasting marathon. In three editions, the marathon has raised over Lm204,000 for the MSSP's projects.
Fr Louis Mallia has travelled to the Philippines to collect footage of the society's work there and other MSSP missionaries took part in discussions during the marathon to explain the projects donations collected in previous marathons helped fund.
The marathon is being streamed on the Web at www.di-ve.com where on-line donations may be pledged.
Donations may be made by texting 5061-8070 (Lm2), 5004-9853 (Lm3). 5004-9855 (Lm5) or 5004-9850 (Lm10).
The Ohloq Tbissima marathon is supported by Melita Cable, Nexos Lighting, Studio 7 and Bank of Valletta, among others.