No target has been set for money collected at this year's L-Istrina, President Eddie Fenech Adami said yesterday.
The organisers are counting on the solidarity the Maltese have always expressed with those in need, he said.
With less than one month to go, L-Istrina organisers are gearing up for the largest national fund-raising event to help several charitable institutions.
The Malta Community Chest Fund (MCCF) will be getting half the donations collected during the 12-hour fund-raising marathon to be broadcast on TVM, One TV and Net TV from midday on December 29.
Other beneficiaries will include the Eden Foundation, Arka Respite Centre (Gozo), YMCA Homeless, Puttinu Cares, Augustinian Sisters Servants of Jesus and Mary, Children's Church Homes, Church Homes for the Elderly, Fondazzjoni Suret Il-Bniedem, Ghaqda Persuni Neqsin Mis-Smiegh and the Gozo CCU Monitors Foundation.
The star prizes are nine KIA cars which include seven Kia Piccantos, a Kia Rio and a DFM Mini Truck.
In addition, there will be thousands of liri worth of other prizes to be won. More than 7,000 piggy banks have been distributed in schools with 42,000 students taking part in the campaign.
Over 1,000 piggy banks were distributed in retail outlets.
L-Istrina organising committee chairman Andrew Psaila said telecoms company Go will by providing a state-of-the-art phone-in system at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre at Ta' Qali - the venue for L-Istrina.
This system will enable members of the public to pledge donations via telephone. The company will supply about 150 telephone lines. The organisers are also working closely with the other telecom provider - Hello - so that everyone will be able to make a donation on the day. The auction of paintings donated to L-Istrina will be held on Boxing Day rather than after the main event as in previous years. More than 110 works of art will be auctioned. They may be viewed at St James Cavalier in Valletta between tomorrow and Christmas Eve. The latest news on L-Istrina is available at www.l-istrina.org.