Forty voluntary and Church organisations have received a donation from the record €2.7 million collected in last year’s L-Istrina fundraiser.
The total collected in the 2011 edition was 15 per cent higher than in the previous year
The total collected in the 2011 edition was 15 per cent higher than in the previous year, President George Abela said yesterday at Verdala Palace in Rabat.
Eight of the beneficiaries this year are involved in animal welfare while about €1.12 million was given to families in need.
While presenting the audited accounts of the Malta Community Chest Fund, which organises the event, Dr Abela said this year’s L-Istrina Mill-Qalb 2012 would keep its Boxing Day appointment and would be held at Verdala Palace.
For the first time ever, the 12-hour event will be sponsored by SmartCity – together with Go, HSBC Malta Foundation and the Good Causes Foundation. During the event, there will be several live links from SmartCity in Ricasoli and Kalkara, as well as from Gozo – another first.
An agreement was reached with the presidents of Astra and Aurora theatres who decided to work together to put on a show from Gozo. The show will be aired from Aurora this year and from Astra next year.
Dr Abela said the Malta Community Chest Fund was working on Proġett Kenn Għal Saħħtek in Mtarfa, a centre for people who suffer from eating disorders and obesity.
Franco Masini, chairman of the board which evaluates applications for L-Istrina funds, said the board assessed all proposed projects and carried out on-site inspections. The projects were evaluated to ensure the money was used for what it had been allocated to.
He encouraged organisations that want to benefit from this year’s L-Istrina to apply before Friday’s deadline. The application forms are available on www.mccf.org.mt.
Dr Abela also launched the third edition of the recipe book It-Tisjir Mill-Qalb – the proceeds of which go towards L-Istrina. The book costs €10 and is available from leading bookshops, Maypole outlets, Scotts and Pavi supermarkets, Maltapost and the President’s Kitchen Garden.
There will also be a small reprint of the first edition at €10.
The organisations that received donations are: Fondazzjoni Wens, Inspire, Oasi Foundation, Arka Foundation, Foundation Kenn u Tama, Torball Association of the Blind, For All Cultures and Ethnic Societies, Faces, Fondazzjoni Nazareth, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Ejjew Għandi, Paulo Freire Institute, Fr Joseph Camilleri (Guatemala Project), Dar Il-Kaptan, St John Ambulance Association Malta, YMCA Homeless, Fondazzjoni Mid-Dlam Għad-Dawl, Azzjoni Kattolika Malta, Angela House, Living Ability not Disability, Piccola Casa di San Giuseppe, Dar Pirotta, St Rita Home, Emigrants Commission, Osanna Pia Home, Stars (Shock, Trauma, Acceptances, Reality, Situations), Lumiere Support Group, Transplant Support Group Malta, Malta Red Cross Society, St Theresa Home, St Ursula Monastery, Malta Guide Dogs Foundation, Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus, UK and eight animal NGOS: Happy Paws Clinic, Island Sanctuary, AAA, Cats and Dogs Shelter, Noah’s Ark, SPCA Malta, SPCA Gozo and Tommasina Cat Sanctuary.