The record €3.3 million raised during this year’s charity fundraiser L-Istrina was a “message” which politicians would do well to hear, President George Abela said yesterday.
Speaking to journalists gathered at the Presidential palace at San Anton Gardens, the President said the fundraising record has reaffirmed the Maltese people’s desire to focus their efforts on bettering the lot of those who suffered.
The solidarity Wednesday’s fundraiser had engendered needed to be nurtured, he added.
“Politicians have a big responsibility. We cannot let this sense of unity disappear during the electoral campaign,” the President said.
He summed up the event in three words – “incredible but true” – and said that, once again, the Maltese had shown themselves to be among the world’s most generous people.
Mr Abela used a couple of anecdotes to illustrate his point, from the married couple who collected €2,500 instead of gifts for their 50th anniversary, to children who dipped into their pocket money to donate whatever they could.
Those who missed Wednesday’s 12-hour charity event can still donate to L-Istrina until January 22, either by calling one of the dedicated phone lines (see box) or by taking their donation to San Anton Palace.
Organising committee chairman Major Mark Mallia had words of thanks for the several hundred volunteers who had given over their spare time to help organise L-Istrina and the various events in its build-up. “This campaign started in September, and without these volunteers it just wouldn’t be possible to get it all done. Offering their time to help the Community Chest Fund is another huge gift which we can never thank them enough for,” Major Mallia said.
Several companies had initially called to say they could not afford to make a donation this year, only to donate anyway, he said. “We also had other companies which promised us a certain amount, only to increase it at the last minute. It was fantastic.”
Producer Fabien Mizzi said he felt privileged to have had the opportunity to individually meet each of the patients highlighted by L-Istrina. “Bringing everything together was a huge challenge, but the thought of each of those guys gave me the drive to soldier on.”