This photo of Martin Attard was taken after he had won the prize l-Għanja tal-Poplu for writing the popular song Pajjiz tal-Miki Maws.This photo of Martin Attard was taken after he had won the prize l-Għanja tal-Poplu for writing the popular song Pajjiz tal-Miki Maws.

The daughter of a Department of Information photographer is appealing for financial help to put together €4,000 to transport her father’s body to Malta after he died suddenly in Croatia.

Desiree Attard, 28, was left devastated when she received a phone call from the Foreign Ministry informing her that her father Martin had died of a heart attack while on holiday. He passed away on July 23 but the family was only informed last Tuesday.

A dancer based in the UK, Ms Attard immediately bought a plane ticket to fly back to Malta.

“I was under shock. That morning I had just received a job offer and in the evening I was told my father had died… it took them five days to tell us,” Ms Attard said.

The shock was compounded when she found out it would cost around €4,000 to fly back her father’s body to Malta.

“This is the best offer I found to get him back and it doesn’t include the funeral expenses.”

The death of 58-year-old Mr Attard, a photographer with DOI for more than 20 years, shocked the media community.

A quiet and reserved man, Mr Attard was described as humble, a gentleman and a great friend.

His daughter made a public appeal on Facebook for funds, saying her father lived for his art and had no savings.

Her father was covered by insurance but Ms Attard said the process to fly back him back could take months.

This is the best offer I found to get him back and it doesn’t include the funeral expenses

“I just want him back in Malta,” she said.

So far, around €1,000 was donated and Ms Attard said she was contacted by the Maltese government, which said it was seeking to help out.

“The last time I spoke to him was when he had just arrived in Croatia. He called and said he was having a beer on the terrace. I told him he was lucky enough to escape the heatwave but he laughed and said it was actually around 40 degrees,” she said.

Besides being a professional photographer, Mr Attard was also a songwriter and composer and, in 1995, had won the prize Għanja tal-Poplu with the popular song Pajjiz tal-Miki Maws.

“One of the best memories of my father is waking up every morning to the sound of him playing the guitar,” Ms Attard said.

Those who want to help may contact Ms Attard on desireeattard@mail.com.

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