L-Istrina: Incredible but true - President Abela
Photo: Jason Borg
Just under 100,000 people donated to L-Istrina yesterday with eight donations per second being received at peak times, President George Abela said this afternoon.
Addressing a news conference held after a record €3,294,997 were raised in the annual fundraising event, the President said that taking Malta's population into account an average of €8.25 per person were donated.
L-Istrina yesterday, he said, showed the true qualities of the Maltese people who sent a message to everyone including politicians that they wanted the focus to be on the people, especially those who were suffering.
The Maltese were the most generous nation, the President said, as he went into specific anecdotes such as that of the couple who asked for contributions to L-Istrina instead of gifts for their 50th wedding anniversary.
Dr Abela said that more than two kilometres of real hair, which would be used to make wigs for cancer patients, were collected.
He said that he did not want the sentiment of unity shown during yesterday’s event to be lost in the electoral campaign and politicians had the duty to nurture this sentiment.
Major Mark Mallia, who coordinated the event, thanked volunteers for their time, including in the run up to the event.
The time people gave was just as big a gift as the money, he said.
Major Mallia said he was amazed by the response from the corporate sector with many companies which said they would be giving the event a miss this year because of the economy showing up with an even bigger donation.
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Emanuel Micallef
Dec 28th 2012, 09:47
prosit
S S. Warren
Dec 28th 2012, 09:20
X' ghandu x jaqsam Gonzi, Louis, GWU, L- orizont and others in this matter? We donated money to the ppl in need and we all shall be happy about it. Full stop.
Mary Rose Grech
Dec 28th 2012, 07:00
louis huwa bniedem li jgawdi rispett mill maltin u l-ghawdxin kollha .kullhadd ghandu rispett lejh,ghalhekk se dgawdi malta kollha
Richard Farrugia
Dec 28th 2012, 16:00
Not in my name, PLEASE!
Mario Pandolfino
Dec 27th 2012, 20:42
Gonzi dejjem ghazliet tajbin ghal pajjiz ghamel.
G Tonna
Dec 27th 2012, 20:01
Incredible generosity not so much since the Maltese are the topmost in the world when it comes to annual contributions for charities per capita. Indeed a wealthy people having deposits with local banks totalling some 15bn euros which says a lot about the wealth of the Maltese. This is not to mention another estimated 5bn euros which the Maltese have invested overseas in paper securities
Francesca Abela
Dec 27th 2012, 17:43
well done - makes us proud to be Maltese.
Giov DeMartino
Dec 27th 2012, 17:37
I am morally convinced that the MLP will be celebrating the success of l-Istrina. The GWU independent daily l;-Orizzont was the only publication whose poster made no reference to l-Istrina.
Carmel Camilleri
Dec 27th 2012, 19:22
The reason is simple .The GWU and here allies newspapers have been all along portraying the Maltese as living in sheer misery. Such a big figure made her lose face if even.
ANTHONY PAVIA
Dec 27th 2012, 17:32
The highest accolade should go to the Maltese taxpayer, who was the largest contributor, albeit individually unaware of this honoured status, via his subsidy of all commercial contributors' contributions valued at a hefty 35%. Most commercial entities could not but participate in this locally, most followed, marketing effort.
Michael Magri
Dec 27th 2012, 17:24
President George Abela has set the road of how to run a presidency for other presidents to come. However, i must say that there will never be another `George Abela.`..
Thank you Mr President..
J Tabone
Dec 27th 2012, 18:30
yea, I would have loved him as a PL leader! He was (and still is!) the best president yet!
Carmel Camilleri
Dec 27th 2012, 19:25
And thank Dr. L. Gonzi our Prime Minister for nominating him as President. The lose of the labour party is gain to the whole nation. Remember J. Abela was rejected by labour party as their leader.
phyllis butler
Dec 27th 2012, 16:53
A site called 'President George Abela ghal 5 snin ohra' is on Facebook. If everyone clicks like and share we might have this great President and Mrs Abela for another term, even though the Constitution does not permit this. After yesterday I still believe everything is possible.
J Tabone
Dec 27th 2012, 18:31
Nice incentive! I'll certainly will "like" it!
m. borg (slm)
Dec 27th 2012, 18:48
Constitution does not allow it and has to be changed.
But Dr Abela can still contribute to Istrina even not in the capacity of being the President.
Altruism knows not one's position in life.
Marita Magro
Dec 27th 2012, 15:43
the best president ever :) he united us maltese irrelavant of political party or believe ...
Joe Spiteri Gauci
Dec 27th 2012, 15:58
Agree with you Marita .... anzi ... I propose that Dr George Abela will be confirmed for another 5 year term in the Office ... please whoever the new Prime Minister may be take note ...
Vince Deguara
Dec 27th 2012, 16:11
@Spiteri Gauci
As much as I agree with you, it is as far as I know not possible...
unless an amendment is made to the constitution with a 2/3 majority agreeing to it ;)
Joe M Borg
Dec 27th 2012, 16:56
Marita, J Spiteri Gauci, V Deguara. My thoughts! He managed to break the record, IN SPITE OF refraining to distribute any prizes. This means that the Maltese have shown that they are ready to give OUT OF GENEROSITY, not to reveive something back. Our president is a blessing to our nation. Thank God for blessing us with him.
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Dec 27th 2012, 17:09
@ Vince Magro.
You are correct in saying that the term of office for our President is for 5 years. I already made such enquires to this effect and that is exactly the feedback I got. I do not think that it would be adviseable to change our constitution because it may refelect badly on previous Presidents. However, I agree that Dr. George Abela is unique.
Carmel Camilleri
Dec 27th 2012, 19:31
The President has been successful in collecting such a sum of money because thanks to the policy of this Government there is a lot of money in the Maltese pockets. Otherwise he would be less successful.
Tony Mangion
Dec 27th 2012, 15:34
A highly respected President of the Republic. He is mostly loved for both of his talking and for his deeds. It may also be noted that on another occasion there was also another good guy in Clifford Galea who had asked for donations towards the l-istrina rather than presents for himself, on his recent birthday, Thus he presented a handsome contribution of 2700 Euro.
Giov DeMartino
Dec 27th 2012, 15:17
The Maltese are very generous. FACT
The Maltese are generous because they CAN BE GENEROUS. Hawn il-flus!
Anthony Falzon
Dec 27th 2012, 15:30
You hit the nail on the head mr.DeMartino.
C. Sammut
Dec 27th 2012, 15:37
In a population of 400,000 less than 100,000 people donated. Min jaf il-flus fejn qeghdin?........ ghandi zgur mhumiex...
Giov DeMartino
Dec 27th 2012, 15:56
Ma nahsibx li qed tmut bil-guh Sur Sammut? Fil-kaz biegh il-kompjuter, nehhi l-internet u l-kapricci l-ohra kollha: karozza, mobile, sigaretti ecc ecc.
V Caruana
Dec 27th 2012, 16:05
Of course YOU are basing a "fact" on your POLITICAL views. Taking the fact that less than 100k contributed to L-Istrina means, that less than 25% of the maltese contributed. Which being a small island and acquainted of one another is not a large contribution. Generosity comes from the heart and not from the riches one might possess
Edward Mallia
Dec 27th 2012, 16:13
@ Anthony Falzon Not the nail but the POLITICAL BOIL, the only excrescence De Martino (like his MOSTA 'compatriot' Privitera) is capable of recognising.
@ C. Sammut There are probably 100,000 legal minors who cannot be expected to have money to contribute. So it is not as bad as you suggest, even if we accept that you are so hard up as not to have a few € to contribute.
C Sant
Dec 27th 2012, 16:41
@ Sammut
100,000 is around the number of families in Malta, so almost everyone donated!
John Zammit
Dec 27th 2012, 17:01
Don't judge what people have by yesterday Contribution. As in the Gospel were the old woman just dropped a cent because all was that she got There people in her situation nowadays
Giov DeMartino
Dec 27th 2012, 17:11
You're not one of them, Mr Zammit. So how do you know?
John Zammit
Dec 27th 2012, 18:32
@ Giov DeMartino I may not be one of them OK but during the house visits am sure you met Lots of them
Giov DeMartino
Dec 28th 2012, 15:52
@ Mr Zammit John. I don't make any home visists, but I do visit supermarkets and business centres. Unless you go and see for yourself you cannot imagine the prosperity around us. It's useless trying to say otherwise because we all have eyes to see...unless we close them
K. Vella
Dec 27th 2012, 15:16
Well Done Mr. President for such success and for all the people behind the scenes to make this happening. Apart from the generosity of the Maltese for such causes.
Charles Micallef
Dec 27th 2012, 15:10
The most positive thing that Dr Gonzi did during his term in office, was appointing Dr Abela to the President of Maltese Nation, he proved Dr Gonzi's choice as impeccable!
Joe M Borg
Dec 27th 2012, 16:59
LIKE:) Though I admit that this is NOT the only good Gonzi did. If he had done a lot of mistakes, we would be next in line after Spain, Greece, Italy,....
D Portelli
Dec 27th 2012, 15:07
Well done for all those who put there effort in this and to all those that donated something.
phyllis butler
Dec 27th 2012, 15:06
What is Malta's population? I think that the sum would have been much greater if the Euro 5 donation was effected immediately on both fixed lines and cell phones instead of approx 8 or 9 hours later.
Alfred Grech
Dec 27th 2012, 14:57
Malta is great and her President is the greatest. Don't let him run away when his term is over. We want him to stay longer.
A. Attard
Dec 27th 2012, 15:14
fully agree. the best president ever so far and we do hope that he stays on for another term. whoever replaces him will have very large shoes to fill!!!
Franco Farrugia
Dec 27th 2012, 15:47
I disagree. We have had good Presidents and there will be another good President after him. Do not let emotions get the better of you.
Ms Maria Vella
Dec 27th 2012, 16:17
Well said Franco Farrrugia
Alfred Vassallo
Dec 27th 2012, 17:44
''We have had good Presidents and there will be another good President after him''
Certainly, although I prefer ones who are CHOSEN and not maneuvered........
........
m. borg (slm)
Dec 27th 2012, 14:45
Once more Dr George Abela has proven that the maltese are really generous and they don't have to be enticed by gifts to donate unlike l-ISTRINA of Christmases long past under the direction of Peppi Azzopardi and WE.
Congratulations to the maltese who although times are not so rosy they once more rose up to the occassion
Anthony Falzon
Dec 27th 2012, 15:35
Like it or note the strina direction is still a Peppi thing. The people could only do so because times are very rosy and their mind at rest with the economy run by the PN.
H. Psaila
Dec 27th 2012, 20:26
If you dont know, l-Istrina was initiated by Peppi Azzopardi, you like it or not and if it was not for him, Istrina is not so popular, even though Alfred Sant tried to dampen the image of Peppi
B. Farrugia
Dec 27th 2012, 14:31
I believe all tax which was previously paid on charitable donations to the Community Chest Fund should be returned to the Fund.
B. Farrugia
Dec 27th 2012, 14:30
I believe all tax which was previously paid on charitable donations to the Community Chest Fund should be returned to the Fund.
Please choose the reason of your report below: