Malta International Airport raised almost €9,000 for charity by auctioning off 102 lost and found items.

MIA said this was the fifth time the airport auctioned off lost and found items for charity but this year’s event raised more than double the amount of money collected in previous editions.

This year’s beneficiary was The Ladybird Foundation, a Maltese charity that provides relief to sick children.

“The funds will be used to give two very sick children the opportunity to go on a dream holiday with their families,” said MIA’s Chief Commercial Officer Alan Borg, adding that beneficiariesof past editions included Puttinu Cares and Dar Tal-Providenza.

The auction, which was attended by over 200 people, was held at the airport’s food court on December 6.

Items on auction includes tablets, designer sunglasses, smartphones, laptops, cameras, toys and luggage filled with goodies.

The items were lost by passengers or confiscated at the security screening point.

Lost and found items are all logged and stored in case they are claimed by their owners but when they remain unclaimed, they are auctioned.

In November, Malta Airport Shopping also helped raise funds for The Ladybird Foundation through another fundraising event: the Dream Ride for Charity, where car enthusiasts were given the opportunity to ride around the terminal on classic sports cars for a donation of €5.

The total sum collected from both events was €8,970.