At least €440,000 was collected by 9pm yesterday during the annual fundraiser in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, in Siġġiewi, which needs about €4 million every year to get by.

The 20th edition of the Feast of Generosity started in the morning with Mass celebrated by the Archbishop, who called for an inclusive society.

“Let’s pray so that people with a disability can find the place they deserve in society and also get the care this house bears witness to,” Mgr Charles Scicluna said during the homily.

Recalling the Jubilee of Mercy being marked by the Catholic Church this year, he urged people to be kind to each other and reach out to those with special needs.

The event this year included an auction of works donated by more than 75 artists

He said the Siġġiewi home needed to remain – as it had been for the past 50 years ­ – a place that bore witness to compassion and to the belief that everyone had a place in society. It has been 50 years since Dun Mikiel Azzopardi was given a donation to help build the home, which welcomed the first three residents in 1968.

Today, the place hosts more than 100 residents. It employs about 200 people and another 200 work on a voluntary basis.

Organised by RTK4Charity, the yearly fund-raising activity runs on the lines of an open day, where people are urged to visit the home, meet the residents, take a look at the residence’s capital projects and help raise the much-needed funds. Sponsored by APS Bank, the event this year included an auction of works donated by more than 75 artists.

The works are being displayed at the home. People can bid for the works on www.dtpauction.com.

More information on www.dartalprovidenza.org.

The Archbishop, Mgr Charles Scicluna, at the 20th Feast of Generosity fundraiser.