€13,000 were raised today in the traditional auction at Mġarr (Malta) among groups wishing to carry the statue of Sta Marija in the procession this evening.

The funds will be used for maintenance of the parish church but a quarter will also be donated to Dar Merħba Bik, which cares for battered women.

The winning bid was made by a group headed by Wistin Vella, no stranger to carrying the statue. Two other groups took part in the bidding. People who do not form part of the winning group will still be allowed to help carry the statue in part of the procession. 

The parish priest, who conducted the activity after the Angelus before a large crowd, said this was not a proper auction, but donations to the church.

Before the bidding started, a group of Mgarr women said that while they had no intention of carrying the statue, they were donating 5,000 to the church.

The sum raised this year is €1,000 more than last year.

Over the weekend some of the funds raised last year were also used to host a supper for needy people, including a number of migrants.