Update 7: L-Istrina raises €2,566,539
Video: Paul Spiteri Lucas
A new record sum of €2,566,539 was raised in the annual charity fund raising event L-Istrina which was held at Verdala Palace in Buskett.
The 12-hour programme was collecting funds for 33 beneficiaries.
€2.4 million were raised last year.
The show was held in a transparent tent in the repaved grounds, bringing the palace to life through a re-enactment of a late-18th-century banquet in the dining room, complete with authentic dishes of the time, including rabbit pie and soup.
The event was kicked-off with appeals for donations by President George Abela and Mrs Abela, Prime Minsiter Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition leader Joseph Muscat.
It involved about 800 people, including the production team, crew and volunteers.
Donors included the HSBC Malta Foundation, one of the main sponsors for the event. The foundation made a €100,000 donation.
The foundation also donated two important paintings from its private collection which were auctioned earlier this month with proceeds going to L-Istrina.
Over the last 11 years, as part of its Corporate Sustainability programme, the HSBC Malta Foundation supported l-Istrina with over €300,000 for the Malta Community Chest Fund.
Another major donor was Bank of Valletta, which presented €115,000 following another successful BOV Piggy Bank Campaign. BoV topped the amount collected to reach €115,000.
This is the eighth consecutive year that BOV has joined the Malta Community Chest Fund in this nationwide campaign to help raise awareness and funds for the Istrina Campaign.
Over 5,000 piggy banks were distributed to schools across Malta and Gozo as well as main shopping outlets. A number of large piggy banks were also placed in main shopping centres to help raise more funds.
This year BOV also launched the L-Istrina BOV Piggy Bank Campaign on Facebook.
More than half a million Euro have been presented to L-Istrina to date through the BOV L-Istrina Piggy Bank Campaign since this initiative was launched in 2004.
But the biggest donation by far came from Banif Bank, which gave a massive €233,030.
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B. Pollacco
Dec 27th 2011, 18:44
jaaaaaaaaq xi dwejjaq ta kummenti u xi dwejjaq ta pajjiz...ifirhu naqa jahasra ><
debbie Voss
Dec 27th 2011, 13:57
I hope and wish that the money collected will not go to church charities as they have refused to show where the money is going. The church is rich enough to support its own charities and when on top of that they refuse to show how much is going to the real cause and how much is being sucked into the curia there shouldnt be any contributions to the church. IF the MCCF gives money to the church institutions this will be the last time I contribute to l -istrina.
Eve Axiaq
Dec 27th 2011, 16:37
From where you got this information?? Its true that the curia is rich with millions and the interest made from the capital is used to support the charities. Now if you are suggesting to use the capital then for how many years it will last? Its pretty obvious that you or your immediate relatives dont make use of old peoples' homes, dar tal- providenza and child institutions.
Andy Farrugia
Dec 27th 2011, 18:44
debbie voss, without your contribution, the Church will continue to carry on its business of helping those in need! There's no doubt about that, at all.
Mr m. borg (slm)
Dec 27th 2011, 13:35
This year's Istrina once more proved Peppi Azzopardi wrong. The maltese do not need to be offered prizes and free cars or whatever, to donate. All the fun runs, winter swim, school collections etc made all this possible and no carrots were dangled infront of the people's faces.
Well done to all concerned especially His Excellency Dr George Abela who has managed to help us rediscover the meaning of generosity without expecting anything in return.
B. Pollacco
Dec 27th 2011, 18:50
don't know were you heard him say that the maltese need prizes to get money...i think you heard him wrong...IF i heard him correctly he said that the maltese do not need prizes to give to charity !
Stephen Farrugia
Dec 27th 2011, 13:27
In my opinion the President should not allow companies (even the Political parties) to donate for L-Istrina. The point being that Charity is a human virtue and companies are not humans!
Unfortunately we miss this crucial point and concentrate on the big numbers.
Point 2 - I don't like it that part of the sum goes to assist other organisations. The mission statement of the Community Chest Fund is certainly NOT that of being the organisation taking charge of who gets what.
B. Pollacco
Dec 27th 2011, 18:48
the sum is that much by the amount of companies who have donated to the cause...so all the work in which HSBC went through to organise the activity was for nothing !!
how do you expect the other companies to compete with these big fundraisers ?
John Fenech
Dec 27th 2011, 11:03
Thank you to all the voluntaries who helped to make a success of this event but a very special thanks must be addressed to H.E. Dr G. Abela for the effort, guidance and above all for changing the face of 'L-Istrina' from that of a lottery to that of a humane experience. Under his patronage, since 2009, a total of 7.3 M Euro were donated for charity!
Ramon Casha
Dec 27th 2011, 11:00
http://www.unitedexplanations.org/2011/03/08/which-is-the-most-generous-country-in-the-world/
Which is the most generous country in the world? As far as giving money goes, Malta tops the list at 83%.
Nice to be top in something. Well done everyone.
"The incidence of giving money to charity ranges from as low as 4% in
Lithuania to as high as 83% in Malta. Incidence of volunteering lies in a
range from 2% in Cambodia to 61% in Turkmenistan. Each country has
its own unique footprint and its own way to give. In Liberia, less than one
tenth (8%) of the population give money to charity every month. Yet over
three-quarters (76%) of Liberians help a stranger every month, more than
any other country in the world."
bryan sullivan
Dec 27th 2011, 10:45
well done the major banks, especially Banif
Stephen Farrugia
Dec 27th 2011, 15:01
I beg to differ. Let's see if this will mean that Sporting and Cultural events will suffer lack of sponsorships throughout 2012 from the major banks. Dr.Abela, being an ex-Sports Administrator knows how hard it is to get sponsors and if everyone finds it right to direct funds towards CCF then we're in big trouble my friend.
Jimmy Magro
Dec 27th 2011, 10:15
The Maltese have continued to show their solidarity. This is also another victory for H.E. The President of the Republic Dr. George Abela who has changed the philosphy of L-Istrina so that people donate on the basis of solidarity and not to win prizes.
The clippings were informative and made no use of children in special need as how it should have been from the beginning.
Yesterday TVM had an item which was very patethic on what the Government is doing to help patients as to compete with the work being done by L-Istrina. A very bad news item ordered from Castille. There should be no competition with L-Istrina as this is a non-political national event. Shame.
Charles Vella
Dec 27th 2011, 12:51
@J Magro.
Very well said. Yesterday's TVM news item is a sign of how patethic TVM and its news bullettins have become. A his master's voice.
Charmaine Bugeja
Dec 27th 2011, 10:11
It was a beautiful gesture, thanks to all those who have in some way or another contributed towards this event. Let's not forget all the musicians who were there at the back for over 12 hours straight, the volunteers, the presenters, the call-takers, the people who are in real need of help from such a foundation.... and everyone who was part of it.
We never thought we would come to ask for help from these institutions, but since my father was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer 2 months ago, he needs to go to London for 3 months for a transplant, and my mum needs to go with him. We are all still at home and the emotional and financial requirements that such a procedure entails, is heart-breaking, frightening and we trust in the good Lord's hands that everything goes well.
It is thanks to Puttinu Cares that my dad will be able to undergo this major operation.
Grazzi mill-Qalb. Is-sena t-tajba lil kulhadd!
Joseph Scicluna
Dec 27th 2011, 09:42
We (the Maltese) are the BEST!
George Mifsud
Dec 27th 2011, 11:06
@Joseph Scicluna
Best of what? Best at what?
W Cassar
Dec 27th 2011, 12:51
Yes at breaking laws and driving dangerously!
Steve Zammit
Dec 27th 2011, 13:52
and for moaning and complaining on the Times online too
Joseph Scicluna
Dec 27th 2011, 17:27
misud, cassar and zammit crawl back to your holes.
Joe Fenech
Dec 28th 2011, 00:09
At showing off! In reality, people give money when then can't afford heating, proper house decorations (as opposted to tacky stuff), borrow money galore...
S. Azzopardi
Dec 27th 2011, 09:06
Last year's record has been exceeded. Great job and well done to all the organisers. This shows what being Maltese means; giving and helping others. WELL DONE !!
monica cauchi
Dec 27th 2011, 07:40
how heartening it was to sit and watch and participate in L istrina yesterday.. one scene that really struck me, was the donation given in the name of migrants.
in such occassion we are all ONE, colour does not matter.
well done to the whole nation, we can out tops again..GOD BLESS ALL
Dorielle Soler
Dec 27th 2011, 07:38
Erm ... people, let's not lose sight of the main event here - thats a wonderful amount of money for charity ! Prosit to all concerned !
Giovann Demartino
Dec 27th 2011, 06:47
L-istrina plus PN plus PL nearly THREE AND A HALF MILLION..UUUUUUUUUHHHHHHH
David Spiteri
Dec 27th 2011, 08:31
L-ikbar insult jibqa il fatt li l-PL u l- PN setghu jaghtu biss 2000EUR. Zgur setghu jaghtu iktar, mis-somom li gabru f'Dicembru.
Carmel Cilia
Dec 27th 2011, 10:00
Since you always seem to like to give a political tint in all your comments I would like to remind you that united we stand otherwise we fall: remember the boycotts of the 80's.
M. Bezzina
Dec 27th 2011, 10:22
Pero int bniedem li dejjem trid idahhal il Politka ...VOJT!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr m. borg (slm)
Dec 27th 2011, 13:41
@David Spiteri , PL did not have the luxury of the good causes fund which donated €50,000 from the people's money and presented by Tonio. How's that for some cheap PR. PL doesn't have the luxury either of rich contributors like some big businessmen,no need to mention any names. If any party should have made a large donation it should have been gonziPN with its unlimited resources. Apart PL which donated twice, once after the fun run and another yesterday ONE employees also gave their contribution.
Giovann Demartino
Dec 27th 2011, 16:37
Dan min dahhalha l-politika? Mela min jifrah bil-gid ikun idahhal il-politika? Jekk haw il-gid, haw il-gid!
R. Gauci
Dec 27th 2011, 21:21
Sur Demartino,
Meta fit-tmun Laburist ikun zgur li gid se jkun!!
Giovann Demartino
Dec 28th 2011, 09:44
Sa fejn naf jien GONZI hemm fit-tmun.
Steve Zammit
Dec 27th 2011, 01:00
Well Done
Malta's generosity at its best :)
Alfred Grech
Dec 27th 2011, 00:58
One negative comment - why did the TV station broadcast a fraction of the National Anthem and not the whole version? Such carelessness is an insult to our Anthem. Enzo Gusman sang it in the presence of our President but only part of it was transmitted.
Mr ALAN GALEA
Dec 27th 2011, 00:07
GRAZZI.
Claudio Cilia
Dec 26th 2011, 23:57
2,560,000 EUR! Well Done to everyone...I like this wonderful spirit of my proud nation...
ALBERT CACHIA
Dec 26th 2011, 17:34
tHATS A GOOD IDEAdr BEZZINA.
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Dec 26th 2011, 13:01
These places should by right be accessible to the general public on ordinary days for the individual who has a profound interest in viewing and knowing more about part of one`s country `s history, away from the din of a noisy crowd!!
Let those who wish to immerse themselves in noise do so by any means, but let such an opportunity be available to one and all,away from the publicity of such events.
Daniel J. Spiteri
Dec 26th 2011, 18:10
I don't get your comment. Do you mean that you don't want these events? Or did I misunderstood you?
Joanna Bugeja
Dec 26th 2011, 18:31
Dr. Bezzina
I hope you and your family will not be in need of this 'NOISE'. Have a healthy New Year.
J.Bugeja
Stefan Zammit
Dec 26th 2011, 19:00
I think what he meant was that Verdala palace should be open to the public (at an entrance fee I assume) and not only for these events so that it may be observed in peace .
Charles Martin
Dec 26th 2011, 19:03
What Dr Bezzina said is that such places should be open to the general public most days of the week as is done in other countries!
Perhaps this could be a good way of generating revenue for much needed improvements. Something of the sort as is done in the UK through the National Trust!!!
A. Xuereb
Dec 27th 2011, 04:41
@ Daniel J. Spiteri and Joanna Bugeja:
1):either you read the comment left by Dr Bezzina too hastily
2): in your euphoria at the the sum collected you misundestood the meaning of his comment
3): you wanted to be jugdemntal in your remarks because they were left by Dr Bezzina
or
4): you need to go back to the classroom and get a grip on basic English
Aristide Galea
Dec 27th 2011, 09:13
Mr.Daniel J. Spiteri & Ms. Joanne Bugeja ,
I'm sorry to tell you , but you should go back to school because both of you have misunderstood completely what Dr. Bezzina meant by his comment . Dr.Bezzina meant that these places should be opened for the general public not only on these occasions but also during the whole year.
This can be an attraction for tourists and a great opportunity to those who have interest in our historical heritage . If these places are made more available to visitors (naturally on a nominal fee) the money generated from the entrance fee of these places could be used to maintain the upkeep of same places .
To give an example , in England you can visit mostly all of these places and there are tours conducted especially to show you around these places .
So ,what's wrong if we can introduce these ideas in Malta ?
Jimmy Magro
Dec 27th 2011, 10:17
I am quite certain and morally convinced that Dr. Emmanuel Bezzina meant well in his comment. It is only a question of reading calmly what he wrote as I am quite certain he is a patriotic person and will do nothing to harm our glory of a nation.
Joanna Bugeja
Dec 27th 2011, 12:45
@A.Xuereb & A.Galea
I do not think it is the case in time to argue if the Verdala Palace should be open to the Public or not. It was totally out of the point to point out this fact. As my English teacher would say 'stay with the subject', which in this case Dr.Bezzina failed to do.
I dearly hope that Dr.Bezzina contributed to reach the ultimate goal.
Anyway well done to the organisers and to the people working day and night to help people really in need. I know from experience. Keep it up.
Joanna Bugeja
Noel Attard
Dec 26th 2011, 12:57
Let us help on this special day and give a donation. Well done to our President and the organizers for the great organization.
Let's hope the rain and gale force winds which are forecasted for this evening do not disturb the event.
Charles Zahra
Dec 27th 2011, 07:38
I join Noel in congratulating the President and the organizers. Thank you to all the volunteers.
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