The nine cars to be given out as gifts during Saturday's L-Istrina were yesterday presented to President Eddie Fenech Adami and Mrs Fenech Adami, chairman of the Community Chest Fund, which receives 50 per cent of the funds collected during the annual TV charity marathon.

Three of the Kia cars were donated by McDonalds, two by the MCP Car Park, one by Go and one by the Tumas Group. Sponsors are still being sought for the other two cars.

During Saturday's marathon fund-raising programme, to be broadcast live on TV between noon and midnight, a big prize will be given out every half an hour. These bumper prizes include kitchens and fireplaces.

Moreover, a Lm25 voucher will be given to everyone making a Lm5 donation and a Lm45 voucher to those making a Lm10 donation.

On receiving the cars, the President said such prizes encouraged participation in the programme. He hoped it would be as successful - or even more successful - than last year's, saying the requests for help received by the Community Chest Fund were ever on the rise.

In fact, the CCF's funds this year had not been enough to meet the number of calls for help and funds carried over from last year had to be used.

Dr Fenech Adami thanked all the sponsors, volunteers and supporters of L-Istrina, which is again being presented by Peppi Azzopardi.

Mr Azzopardi said a lot of people who worked for L-Istrina did so behind closed doors. Everyone should help as a sign of solidarity and L-Istrina was there for all those who needed it.

This year's L-Istrina, being held at the MFCC, in Ta' Qali, is organised by PBS, which has subcontracted the organisation to Razzett tal-Hbiberija. Razzett tal-Hbiberija fund-raising manager Gordon Pace said Lm7,000 had already been raised from the L-Istrina auction. A total of 118 items had been offered, of which more than 90 items were sold.