Preparations for L-Istrina, the Community Chest Fund’s annual charity campaign, are under way and at an advanced stage.
Though much of last year’s basic infrastructure has been retained, some novel touches have been added to the set. Among the changes, this year, the band was brought down to earth to be in closer contact with the audience, the organisers said.
Like last year, the massive Lufthansa Technik hangar, normally used for planes, has been converted into a state-of-the-art TV studio in a matter of days.
Because the hangar has an important use, the time in which it can be transformed into a vibrant set is limited and within a week it has to take on a new look and life.
The enormous area, measuring about 90 square metres and 10-floors high, accommodates the massive games area and the main stage, accessed by an imposing flight of steps.
A large number of people, including designers, builders and those who put the finishing touches, are working intensely on the set for the anticipated event that is aired on TV on Boxing Day.
L-Istrina is considered a major charity event – last year it generated €2.3 million – and the mission of the organisers is to keep viewers hooked to the TV.
“It is a solidarity feast that unites the nation,” a spokesman for the President said. “We are interested primarily in the energy the event creates and that brings along the rest.”
Once again this year, supporting events in the run-up to L-Istrina included the President’s fun run between the presidential palaces in San Anton and Valletta, an auction of art works, the piggy-bank collection in schools and Paqpaqli ghall-Istrina, among others.
A state-of-the art phone-in system has already been installed in the hangar, including 60 lines for €12 donations and 30 to receive €24 donations.
For the first time last year, no gifts were offered to those who made their donations, yet L-Istrina still saw a record collection, raising twice as much as the previous year and allowing the list of beneficiaries to be increased by 10.
For the first time also, funds were allocated to particular projects by the NGOs, rather than directly to the NGOs.
This year’s beneficiaries are St Jeanne Antide Foundation, Standing Towards Ability not Disability, Ejjew Għandi, The Ghana Mission Foundation, Daughters of the Sacred Heart Congregation – Philippines Mission, St Joseph’s Home in Sta Venera, the Richmond Foundation, Fondazzjoni Wens, Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem, Dar Pirotta, Millennium chapel, Equal Partners Foundation, Foundation for Respite Care Services, Caritas SOS Malta, Malta Red Cross Society, Jesuit Refugee Services, the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation, Sisters of Charity, Living Ability Not Disability, Angela House, Dar Sagra Familja, Amputees for Amputees, Grupp Gwardjola, Ċentru Pastorali Ragħaj it-Tajjeb in Gozo, Dar Osanna Pia, Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus and Victim Support Malta.
They could be increased, depending on the sum collected, the President said.