The values of unity and solidarity spread through the islands yesterday as tens of thousands of people pooled in to raise a record sum during the annual charity fundraiser L-Istrina.
The sum raised by the time the event ended totalled €3,292,890.
Donations rolled in at a fast pace and the amount surpassed 2005’s record sum of €3,207,547 that included €1.4 million from the auction sale of 59 BMW cars used during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting that November.
People queued to donate money, either via phone or in person, throughout the 12-hour marathon. The money goes to the Malta Community Chest Fund, which then distributes it to various beneficiaries.
This year, L-Istrina kicked off at SmartCity where President George Abela opened the telephone lines on which people could call to make their donations. He then went to Verdala Palace, in Buskett, where the event was held for the second consecutive year.
Within the first half hour, over €25,000 were collected and the money increased at the rate of about €3,000 a minute to reach the €1 million mark by 5pm. At that time it was also announced that over one kilometre of hair was donated through Locks of Love, a charity that turns the donated hair into wigs for people who lose their hair due to illness.
As in previous years, various dignitaries attended the event and urged people to make their donation.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said L-Istrina made him proud of the values of the country as this was a time when the values of generosity and solidarity shone through.
12-hour charity marathon shows ‘large heart of the Maltese people’
Labour leader Joseph Muscat said he was impressed by the stories of people who had donated money to L-Istrina in previous years and were now in need of help themselves.
Former Presidents Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and Eddie Fenech Adami noted the “large heart of the Maltese people”.
This message was also shared by Jonathan and Zhana Xuereb, the parents of four-year-old Leah, who returned home just days ago after undergoing an operation for a rare form of cancer in a specialised Texan hospital.
A line-up of bands and musicians were in attendance during a music marathon held at SmartCity that was converted into a satellite venue for the event.
Clips telling the stories of people who were benefiting from donations were aired at regular intervals to remind the public about the realities of those in need.
The event was put together by over 1,000 volunteers that included crew members, public figures and television personalities.
Donations over the years
2011 – €2,566,539
The event was held at Verdala Palace, in Buskett, for the first time. As the global economic climate continued to show a gloomy outlook, many were surprised to see the amount surpass that collected in the previous year.
2010 – €2,332,410
This amount was slightly above that of the previous year. For the first time, the public could also donate through a Facebook application.
2009 – €2.3 million
For the first time, the event, previously handled by Public Broadcasting Services Ltd, was organised by the Malta Community Chest Fund itself. Prizes that used to be given to donors were done away with.
2008 – €1,227,009
The telethon was held amid global economic gloom and doom and higher utility tariffs.
2007 – €1,398,313
The charity event was held in the aftermath of a Budget that cut taxes and gave children’s allowance to all children.
2006 – €1,164,687
Inflation hit hard during the year.
2005 – €3,207,547
This extraordinary amount of money – which was exceeded yesterday – included €1.4 million netted from the auction sale of 59 BMWs used during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting held in Malta that November.
2004 – €1,899,350
The event was held in the midst of a controversy over the Government’s decision to stop public holidays falling on weekends being added to one’s leave entitlement.
The people you helped
• Sixteen-year-old Martina lost her mother to cancer a year ago and, a few months later, she found out that she too suffered from the disease. She encouraged people to donate, saying: “You never know when you will be in need.”
• Samuel, five, has been battling with cancer since he was two and had to travel to the UK for treatment. In October, he relapsed and is back in treatment. He thinks the President is “very nice” to all children and takes care of Malta. His mother urged people to donate what they could afford.
• Jean, an adult, was born with heart problems and under-went various operations throughout his life. In August, the Malta Community Chest Fund helped him travel to the UK for a major operation.
• Christine lost her eyesight after she gave birth to her twin daughters. She managed to regain independence with the help of her guide dog, Winnie, whom she got thanks to donations given during L-Istrina in 2009.
• Joseph was leading a normal life before last year when he got an electric shock and lost both legs and one arm. The money donated through L-Istrina helped him get the necessary therapy.