A total of €237,000 were collected by 6.30 p.m. in the 16th edition of the annual open day for charity at the Dar tal-Providenza, organised by RTK.

The open day, which will continue until midnight, is being televised live. It started with mass at 9 a.m.

A shuttle service is being provided to the home from the old runway on Triq San Niklaw. The runway is being turned into a parking lot.

This is being done to encourage drivers to park in these sites and avoid the usual congestion that clogs the only road that leads to the home.

Donations can also be made by calling 5160 2021 (€10) 5170 2013 (€15) or 5180 2014 (€25) or by SMS on 5061 8922 (€7).

The home, set up in 1965 by Dun Mikiel Azzopardi, houses 100 people with mental and physical disabilities on a permanent basis, and provides respite services to another 50.

It needs €10,000 to operate every day, or €3.5 million a year. A record €668,217 was raised last year.

The year, the Dar ta-Providenza aims to set up a semi-independent residence for five people in Qawra.