A “humbled” President George Abela thanked the Maltese for their immense generosity in donating more than €15 million in the five years since he took over the annual national fundraiser.
“I thought that the €3.2 million collected last year was the maximum we could raise but this year’s €3.4 million clearly shows that the people fully support L-Istrina,” he said yesterday at a press conference in San Anton Palace.
Less than 12 hours after presenting the annual telethon in aid of the Community Chest Fund, Dr Abela, dressed casually in a shirt and pullover, warmly thanked the people for the “trust” and “support” in all the activities related to L-Istrina.
L-Istrina was not only about donations but about taking part, he said. “What struck me on a personal level was the happiness generated during the event – I never saw it happen anywhere else,” he said.
Dr Abela had firmly taken into his hands the reins and organisation of the event when appointed President five years ago and added his own touch, including the President’s Fun Run and the Rockestra concert.
This year alone, 14,500 people took part in the fun run, with 35,000 over the last four years. In five years, more than 65,000 people have attended the Rockestra concert while 60,000 went to the annual Paqpaqli car show.
More than 70,000 phone calls and text messages were made during the 12-hour telethon held at the Malta Conference Centre and Smart City on Boxing Day. When donations peaked, there were five people calling or texting per second – amounting to 300 hits a minute.
One of the best things about this year’s fundraiser was that the people who needed the money were taking the phone calls themselves. “The event created a sense of unity and feelgood factor”.
Dr Abela said he and his wife felt privileged to have received the immense support from the people.
To ensure complete transparency, the money side was handled by two external audit firms, KPMG and Price Waterhouse Coopers.
Of the money collected in the five years so far, €10 million have been spent. The remainder includes the amount collected this year and €2.5m allocated to a project offering support to people suffering from eating disorders.
The project, Kenn Għal Saħħtek, which is now in its final stages, will offer respite to people suffering from anorexia and bulimia and is due to be inaugurated next month, according to Dr Abela.
The experience was “extremely satisfying” because it made a difference to people’s lives. The fundraiser was without gifts – a decision taken by Dr Abela when he took over – but “it brought about the greatest gifts of all”.
He appealed to the next president to continue in the path of giving as the people clearly showed what they wanted.
“I am very proud of the Maltese and to be Maltese – they responded to L-Istrina’s call and gave, breaking last year’s record,” he said.
Banif Bank made the largest contribution to L-Istrina amounting to €321,800 after collecting the sum in the fun run held earlier this month.
Police called to fans as things kick off
The proposal by a group of Valletta football supporters to donate money to L-Istrina did not pan out as planned after the men were asked to leave the premises escorted by the police.
An eyewitness told Times of Malta that a group of around 12 men arrived at the Mediterranean Conference Centre at 10pm asking to present a donation of €1,200. The men were wearing white zip-up tracksuits with the word “ultra” – which refers to hardcore football fans – in red print on the back.
However, the men got upset when they were informed that only donations of €2,000 plus would entitle them to present it in the form of a giant cheque on stage.
An argument ensued with the volunteers present in the reception area and the men were escorted out by the police officers stationed at the nearby entrance.
Captain Jonathan Borg, one of the organisers, said the men were escorted out after the men started to protest. “When we saw it was not tenable, they were escorted out.”
However, Capt. Borg pointed out that “it wasn’t a big issue” and the situation was quickly brought under control.
A member of the group, James Mackay, said the situation was “one big misunderstanding”.
The group had made donations to L-Istrina for the past three years and this time round managed to collect €1,200, he said. “We wanted to go on stage, even to promote the group so we would manage to collect more next time round. We wanted to have a photo taken to put it up on Facebook.”
Mr Mackay said the issue was not about going on stage with a big cheque but about donating money, and “there was a misunderstanding”.
When the men were told they could not go on stage, words were exchanged with the volunteers and the situation degenerated – especially since some of the men may have had “a few drinks too many”, Mr Mackay said.
“It’s important that we give money to charity. People have to learn that everyone is equal and the money given by large companies and small associations is worth the same,” he said, downplaying the incident which he called a closed chapter.
The group has now decided to collect more funds to eventually donate it to Puttinu Cares, which offers support to families of children suffering from cancer.