President George Abela said this morning that the 'incredible' success achieved by L-Istrina yesterday made him proud to be Maltese, and he urged the people to continue giving in future editions, when he would no longer be at the helm of the Community Chest Fund.

Looking relaxed at San Anton Palace after a record €3,414,386 were raised in the 12-hour marathon yesterday, Dr Abela said he was humbled by the success and the Maltese people's outstanding generosity.

This, he said, was a vote of confidence by the people in the activities related to L-Istrina and in the Community Chest Fund.

The people had shown what they wanted, and he augured that his successor would continue to build on what had been achieved, Dr Abela said.

He thanked all those who had contributed and the volunteers who made L-Istrina possible, and said that apart from the funds raised, he was struck by the joy of those who turned up at L-Istrina venues yesterday and especially the joy of the current beneficiaries of the Community Chest Fund who were among those who received the donations. 

Dr Abela said the Community Chest Fund raised €15m in the past five years (including yesterday), of which €10m had been donated to those in need. The Fund will next month open a facility for people with eating disorders.

Col Mark Mallia, who helped coordinate the events, said that in 12 hours yesterday, 70,000 calls and text messages were received. The donations, he said, equalled €22 per household in Malta and Gozo. At one point yesterday, there were five people phoning or texting every second.