Annual charity telethon raises millions for Malta Community Chest Fund

The 19th edition of L-Istrina kicked off at midday yesterday, and saw funds raised for the Malta Community Chest Fund.

As at 7pm, around €3 million had been collected, with the telethon continuing till around midnight. The final amount collected can be viewed on The Malta Independent’s website.

The fundraising telethon, the biggest national charity event, was opened by President MarieLouise Coleiro Preca, together with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Opposition Leader Adrian Delia and Archbishop Charles J Scicluna.

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said that together, the people help make the events a success. She also spoke of those Maltese families who are abroad undergoing treatment. “You are not alone,” she said, “we are with you.”

Archbishop Charles Scicluna said that the yearly event shows a “strong spirit of generosity and forgiveness,” and called it an “opportunity to show solidarity.” “What we give today is going to assure a future,” he concluded.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat commented on the ringing of the telephones and called it a noise synonymous with L-Istrina. “People ring in because this is a cause they believe in,” he said, adding that the event is “an opportunity to give.”

Leader of the Opposition Adrian Delia said that the whole day is “a message of hope,” and said that the Maltese people can be measured by how big their hearts are. “We need to show what a big heart we have as a people, and how we think about others. Let us show what a big country we are and help however we can” he said, while urging people to donate.

Samuel and Gabriel, two of the boys that the fundraising event helped last year, accompanied the President.

Throughout the day funds were collected for the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation, which will help individuals who are in need of financial support due to vulnerability or illness, as well as various NGOs.

This year, the event was located at the Kirkop Pavilion.