(Updated 6.30 a.m. on Monday)
The 11th edition of l-Istrina, Malta's annual charity event yesterday raised €2.3 million for charity.
For the second time in a row, it was devoid of prizes but still managed to raise €2,332,000 million.
The event, from the Lufthansa Technik hangar in Luqa, was aired on all television stations.
The public can still donate through a Facebook application, which is linked to L-Istrina’s Official Facebook Page. The actual page has claimed over 10,000 members since its creation last year.
Facebook members can give a donation by searching L-Istrina - F’Idejk, ‘Liking’ the page and following the links, or by directly accessing the application at apps.facebook.com/l-istrina.
The application will remain active for donations until January 6.
One can also donate by calling 5004 9005 (€12) or 5004 9010 (€24) or by sending an SMS on 5061 8918 (€6.99) or 5061 9222 (€11.65).
HSBC DONATION
The main sponsor of the event this year was the HSBC Malta Foundation which donated €100,000.
The donation was presented to President and Mrs George Abela by HSBC Malta’s head of service delivery Philip Farrugia and members of the staff who were also helping out during the event.
Over the last 10 years the Foundation has sponsored L-Istrina by donating in excess of €200,000 to the Malta Community Chest Fund.
Earlier this year, HSBC Malta Foundation organised a triathlon from Għarb to San Anton Palace to help with fundraising. The foundation has also contributed to the MCCF fund in aid of Maltese patients receiving treatment in London.
BOV DONATION
Another €100,000 were donated by Bank of Valletta.
The cheque was presented by chief officer operations Michael Galea, accompanied by staff members and children holding Piggy Banks used in the campaign.
€53,080 were collected in the campaign and the sum was topped up to €100,000 by the bank.
This is the seventh consecutive collaboration between Bank of Valletta and the Malta Community Chest Fund raising over €400,000 since the campaign's inception.
GO DONATION
Nearly €18,000 were donated by GO CEO David Kay, together with a number of employees, on behalf of the company.
GO prides itself in being one of L-Istrina's longest standing partners and supporters and has been actively involved in the event since its inception 11years ago.
GO sets a state-of-the-art communications infrastructure for this event, provides man-hours and various quad-play services at no cost.
It also waives call charges and other expenses connected with donations made by phone.
BANIF DONATION
A €151,000 donation was presented by Banif Bank later in the evening.