Updated at 6.20am

Locals dug deep into their pockets to donate just over €7 million to the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation on Boxing Day, in a record-breaking edition of L-Istrina.

The annual charity telethon beat last year's €6.04 million total - itself a record - shortly after 11pm, and the donation counter continued to tick over as the clock neared midnight when the show ended. 

President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca said she was convinced people would be celebrating the generosity and solidarity of the Maltese at the end of 12-hour charity telethon L-Istrina, which kicked off at noon on Wednesday.

In her final appeal as president, Ms Coleiro Preca said there was not one activity she attended where people did not express their gratitude for the help received.

Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

Authorities and Maltese personalities gathered on Wednesday to encourage people to donate to annual telethon L-Istrina, which raises money for the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation.

Ms Coleiro Preca said Malta was renowned for its generosity, with hospital managements from other countries telling her they had been amazed at how the Maltese always helped each other out.

Read: Global index shows Maltese kindness

Speaking before the President, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne said he had worked with children and families who needed operations.

"I know how it can be a trauma for their families," he said.

“Funds are important, but it’s not just about finances. The fact there are thousands who feel moved enough to donate fills people with courage.”

Photo: L-Istrina/Facebook

In a televised video message, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat encouraged people to donate, saying sometimes those who donate eventually end up in need themselves.

It would be the first L-Istrina he would miss, he said, adding that he and his family were there in spirit.

Opposition leader Adrian Delia encourage people to open their eyes and ears to what was going on around them: "We cannot donate just to give, but we must give everything we’ve got, Dr Delia said.

From his end, Archbishop Charles Scicluna stressed the importance of people’s contributions, saying Christmastime should be a concrete sign of hope and love.

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The fund-raising marathon was televisedlive, from noon until midnight.

Donation phone numbers:

51902030 - €50

51802012 - €25

50619201 - €11.65

The pledge line number is 2126 2626.

[attach id=689768 size="medium" align="left"]L-Istrina 2018 - all ready to go![/attach]