Practically every weekend, on some TV station or other (or on all at one go) a marathon is held to collect funds in aid of some needy cause. Sometimes it’s the Community Chest Fund, Dar tal-Providenza, Oħloq Tbissima, Puttinu Cares and others.

Undeniably, they are all very good causes. All cater for those in need and, like everyone else, I am always glad when the final figure is announced amid cheers and thanks to all who contributed, whether by donating money, offering services such as receiving telephone calls or entertaining. The Maltese people are truly generous.

The Office of the President is admirably leaving no stone unturned to help the less fortunate by coming out with various ideas and initiatives, and organising events to collect the much-needed funds.

But, while admiring the energy and dedication of President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, she is not at the receiving end of taxpayers’ money.

Very recently Edgar Preca was interviewed during a morning programme on Radju Malta and if I remember well, he said that the State does not contribute financially.

With the exception of money collected to send to missionary countries, the rest goes to Maltese citizens who are in dire need and who deserve to receive financial help, mainly because of health problems.

These Maltese citizens and their families, in more ways than one, have paid or are still paying taxes. The general feeling is that it is the State that is obliged to help those in need.

What worries me, and a lot of others too, is that maybe the State is not reaching out enough to these needy people, whileothers, whoever they are and for whatever reason, are getting richer every day by receiving salaries or financial packages previously unheard of.

I have nothing against people getting rich as long as this is the result of honest and hard work, but unfortunately, from information supplied daily by the media, this is not the case!

This is neither fair nor just. Each one of us is morally bound to help willingly those who need a shoulder to lean on, but the State should lead by example and tackle primarily its priorities.

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