First underwater tree

Santa strapped on an oxygen cylinder and jumped into the sea at Exiles in Sliema yesterday to decorate an underwater tree and raise funds for L-Istrina.

Onlookers gathered as about 90 divers, one dressed up as Santa Claus, merrily jumped into the water to set up the tree and decorate it with florescent baubles.

The original event, organised by Dive Systems and Calypso Sub Aqua Club, raised €1,200 for L-Istrina from Malta’s first underwater tree.

“We were hoping for a good turnout and in fact it exceeded expectations,” Dive Systems Managing Director Simon Sciberras said, pointing out that although things might look simple on land, underwater everything turns out to be more complicated.

Where will the money go?

As announced earlier this month, this year’s 28 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 Home Sta Venera, 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.

L-Istrina money collected over the years

2003: €2.3 million
2004: €1.9 million
2005: €1.6 million*
2006: €1.2 million
2007: €1.4 million
2008: €1.2 million
2009: €2.3 million

*Does not include €1.4 million from a car auction.