Ten charitable organisations benefitted from the €1,164,000 raised during last year's L-Istrina campaign during a presentation ceremony at the Palace, in Valletta, yesterday.

Half the sum was donated, as is traditionally done, to the Malta Community Chest Fund.

The organisations that received the remainder were: the Arka Respite Centre, the Augustine Sisters Servants of Jesus and Mary, Ejjew Għandi, Dar Saura, the Eden Foundation, Fondazzjoni Suret Il-Bniedem, Għaqda Persuni Neqsin Mis-Smiegħ, the Gozo CCU Monitors Foundation, Puttinu Cares Child Cancer Support Group and the YMCA Homeless Shelter.

A number of organisations had applied to Public Broadcasting Services to benefit from the funds raised. These 10 were chosen by an independent board led by Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima.

President Eddie Fenech Adami, who presided over the ceremony together with his wife Mary, appealed to the public to support this year's edition of L-Istrina, which will be held on December 27.