A total of €6,583,542 was collected during the 25th edition of the annual ‘L-Istrina’ telethon, organised by The Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation on Saturday, 26th December 2020. The 12-hour fundraiser was broadcast on all national television stations.
President of Malta George Vella and Mrs Vella thanked the Maltese people for their great generosity, particularly in the circumstances that our country and the rest of the world currently find themselves in. The President said that Boxing Day should start being referred to as ‘National Solidarity Day’ or ‘National Unity Day’ since year after year, during the telethon, the Maltese and Gozitans put aside their political and other differences and realise how strong they can be when they act in unison. “Over the years, irrespective of the troubles and divisions that we faced, everyone has come together for L-Istrina, for a common cause,” said the President.
“This is a cause around which we can all rally. This should be marked as a day of national unity; the unity that I have been talking about for a long time and for which I will continue to speak up. This is a day on which, in effect, all the Maltese put aside their differences and contribute. Let us look at this day, and each other, and realise that we are part of a civilised country with a very big heart.”
The donation lines remain open and the general public is invited to continue donating on the following numbers: 5190 2030 – €50; 5180 2012 – €25, 2122 6226 – pledges of donations of €300 and over; 5061 9201 (SMS) – €11.65; 7935 9565 – BOV Mobile Pay.
Photo (OPR)
