An incredible €2.3 million were collected in the 14th edition of the charity marathon l-Istrina which took off at noon at the Lufthansa Technik hangar in Luqa, which has been transformed into a huge television studio for the annual charity fund-raising event.

The amount was only second to that collected in 2003 when the equivalent of €2,329,792 were collected.

This was the first time that the event is being held under the patronage of President George Abela, who has put his heart and soul in it, revamping the event which for the first time this year did not see any prizes being given to people who donate money.

Dr Abela opened the event in the presence of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition leader Joseph Muscat. All three urged the people to donate generously.

Dr Abela had also kicked off fund raising events with a seven-kilometre run earlier this month that lured a record 6,000 joggers.

Millions of euros have been collected in past editions, including €1.23 last year, €1.29 in 2007 and €1.2 in 2006.

In 2004, about €1.9 were raised. The €3million donated in 2005 included €1.4 netted from the auction sale of 59 BMWs used during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting that November.