'Young and talented' urged to take part in music marathon

The 18th edition of the BJ's Music Marathon 2007, lasting a week, kicked off at 5 p.m. yesterday, aimed at raising funds for the Millennium Chapel and its social arm WOW (Wishing Others Well).

The money collected will be used to help reconstruct the limbs of a 25-year-old woman from Fgura, who lost them due to meningitis, so that she could lead a normal life, said Millennium Chapel director, Fr Hilary Tagliaferro.

But it was also being poured into other causes, including assisting in the expenses of two persons who need to undergo operations overseas, and financing the 180 food packs that are distributed to needy families by the justice and peace group of WOW every week.

The music marathon has been organised in aid of the Millennium Chapel, in Paceville, for the past six years now, and a strong cooperation has been established, said Millennium Chapel Foundation chairman John C. Grech.

However, the 2007 version includes an innovation on previous years. While the marathon will continue at BJ's in Paceville throughout the week, it will also be extended to City Gate, in Valletta, where bands will be playing between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The idea was to reach out further to the public and collect money from there, especially when attendance at BJ's was low in the morning hours, said organiser and BJ's owner Philip Fenech.

The event is also intended to promote live music. Fr Hilary encouraged young and talented musicians and small bands, who may not have a platform to play in public, to come forward and participate.

"God is also present in the expression of talent and beauty, especially when it is used to help others," he said.

"The event is not just a matter of collecting money but also of getting people to appreciate that man should be complete, spiritually and materially," Mr Grech said. "An important message is also to make people conscious, in today's busy life, that they should care for others."

The marathon was opened by Malta's musical ambassador Olivia Lewis and closes on Sunday. Among the many musicians lined up are the popular doctors' band, which always lends a hand to charity.

Donations can be made at BJ's as well as on SMS number 5061 8061 for Lm2, 5061 8915 for Lm3 and 5061 9204 for Lm5.