The Malta Independent on Sunday
Xarabank in aid of Dar tal-Providenza
For the fourth consecutive year, Xarabank will broadcast a telethon on 27 June to collect funds for Dar tal-Providenza. Local personalities will take the stage to entertain, but the main aim of the programme should be kept in mind. In the run-up to next Friday, Therese Bonnici speaks to producer Peppi Azzopardi and Dar tal-Providenza director Fr Martin Micallef
“Every fundraising programme requires long hours of analysis to determine the most effective way of raising awareness. We meet up with the NGO and spend days at the respite home to better understand its requirements,” says Peppi Azzopardi. “Focus groups allow us to underline what captures the audience’s attention. We need to find a fine line between keeping the audience entertained, while at the same time manage to keep our final goal in focus.” When the audience is entertained, it’s noticeable that the phones stop ringing. Then again, if the audience isn’t entertained, they are likely to shut us out. It’s not an easy balance to maintain.”
During next Friday’s programme, 70 local personalities will discard their usual roles and entertain the audience. This year, a record number of MPs will participate; so far 24 have agreed to do so. Undoubtedly, Eurovision winner Conchita will make an appearance – but which MP will be imitating her?
So what is the atmosphere like for the team during such telethons? “During the programme itself, the rest of the team are giving me feedback on what’s having the most impact,” says Peppi. “I do shoulder a fair amount of responsibility, be- cause each donation does indeed make a difference. Twenty thousand people die of hunger every day in third-world countries.”
During this television schedule, Xarabank has already collected over €1 million in funds. The NGO being supported is not decided by Xarabank producers Where’s Everybody (WE) but by PBS. There seems to be one fund-raising activity after another, and yet the Maltese public never ceases to impress. “There is no time leeway for the child that requires €10 worth of medicine or an individual that has some form of disability,” he says.
“The people we come across when producing such programmes leave their mark on us. Annabelle [Vassallo] and Karl [Vella] have completely changed my perspective on life. Annabelle helped me grow more accepting of others and Karl helped me realise that helping others is not so much an act of charity but a duty. Both of them were fine examples of unconditional solidarity.”
Annabelle Vassallo, who died from cancer three years ago, prominently featured in Xarabank, and her inspirational legacy still lives on today. Karl Vella, who passed away last February, was also an inspirational campaigner, who made a point of getting his message across via Xarabank, even at the most difficult of times.
€ 3.5 million in expenses per year
“Such programmes are instrumental for Dar tal-Providenza – not only do they help us financially, but they help create awareness about the services offered by the NGO concerned. Today, we consider Xarabank’s team as an integral part of our annual marathon” says Dar tal-Providenza director Fr Martin Micallef.
To function successfully, it is estimated that the home requires between €8,000 and €10,000 a day – equivalent to roughly €3.5 million a year. This covers employees’ wages, residents’ individual necessities, and the home’s maintenance and capital projects. The NGO’s financial accounts are audited each year by a renowned company.
Ever since the respite home was opened 50 years ago, it has remained sustainable thanks to donations from the public, which account for the larger part of its income. Apart from financial donations, Dar tal-Providenza is also heavily reliant on those who offer their time voluntarily. “We have a generous number of volunteers who give their time on a regular basis as well as people who help on particular occasions. Some volunteers help the residents directly at the home, others offer to take them out for a walk. We have volunteers working in the kitchen, the laundry, at the weekly bazaar and in the administration. Every form of help is greatly appreciated,” said Fr Micallef.
Xarabank in aid of Dar tal-Providenza will be broadcast live on Friday, 27 June and the annual volleyball marathon will take place between 4 and 6 July.