'Poverty is on the rise'

When darkness falls some people secretly make their way to the Millennium Chapel in Paceville where, with tears in their eyes, they ask for the help they are ashamed to seek in the light of day.

"Poverty is on the rise in Malta. The number of people who seek help is increasing," Fr Hilary Tagliaferro, director of the Millennium Chapel said during the launch of the 20th edition of BJ's annual Live Music Marathon.

The marathon, which will run for a week till the early hours of Monday morning, will raise funds for Wishing Others Well, the social arm of the Millennium Chapel in Paceville.

Every day, Fr Tagliaferro said, WOW gave out about 180 bags of food to families in need.

This year the funds collected through the marathon will extend outside Malta's shores as he will be taking some money to Kenya in July when he visits a hospital for children with cancer.

Inaugurating the marathon, President George Abela praised the spirit of solidarity through which the event would reach out to people in the third world country.

He called on Maltese people to hang on to their values, through which they helped people, and to serve as an example to other EU countries.

Collectively, the previous editions have raised €290,000 for charity. This year's marathon was kicked off by Malta Song for Europe winner Chiara who performed Rod Stewart's Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?

BJ's owner Philip Fenech noted that for the past few years the marathon had aimed to help those in need while preserving live music that was being sidelined by digital recordings.

Camilleri Wines, which is supporting the event, will be present at the marathon with their Palatino range of wines. Donations may be made at the door or through text messages on Vodafone and Go Mobile numbers on 5061 8068 for donations of €4.66, 5061 8911 for €6.99, and 5061 9201 for €11.65.