The Helping Hands Foundation is set to put the spotlight on the problem of the homeless and raise funds for YMCA Homeless.

The foundation said there are at least 64 children who are homeless on the island.

"The team from the Helping Hands Foundation is considering the problem one of its biggest challenges and is dedicating the 12th edition of its Family Magazine to raise funds for homeless children," the foundation's Nadia Vella Cappello said.

She said that through the magazine, which sells at Lm1.50, the public will have the chance to help the YMCA and at the same time have an informative, interesting booklet full of puzzles, stories, interesting facts and lots of prizes. There is no advertising in the booklet so it is just packed with interesting fun for every one - young or old, Mr Vella Cappello was quick to add.

YMCA Homeless is a voluntary and non-profit organisation that seeks to promote the creation of a more just society.

YMCA Homeless deals with over 50 cases on a daily basis. These individuals are assisted at the Homeless Shelter and at the Drop-in Centre.

Dar Niki Cassar is the YMCA Homeless shelter, which accommodates up to 22 individuals, while most of the generic social work is carried out at the YMCA Drop-In Centre in Merchants Street, Valletta.

The foundation team, along with the YMCA, urged the public to stop for a few minutes to listen to members of HHF's marketing team who will be going to various towns and villages.

Ms Vella Cappello said members of the public should be careful to distinguish the Helping Hands booklet and any other similarly priced or designed booklets now also being sold. The HHF has no affiliation with any other group. So far, the total sum given by the HHF to philanthropic organisations has exceeded Lm145, 000.

HHF has raised a total of Lm13,000 from the sale of the 11th edition of the booklet in just 10 weeks. The money will go to Dar Tal-Providenza, the residential homes for the handicapped in Siggiewi.