President George Abela was kept in hospital overnight under observation after fainting during a funeral yesterday morning.

Dr Abela was attending entrepreneur Angelo Fenech’s funeral, when he was said to have lost consciousness for a brief moment. He was rushed to hospital but felt better soon afterwards.

All routine medical tests including including ECG proved there were no serious problems. He felt faint due to exhaustion and low blood pressure, doctors said.

Sources close to the President said he has been working tirelessly for long hours in the past days, in preparation for l-iStrina, the charity marathon raising funds for the Community Chest Fund.

Presidential appointments for the weekend have been called off.

Contrary to previous years, this year’s Strina edition will not be featuring prizes for those who donate money. The President and his staff have organised a number of activities including the Rockestra concert in September and the President’s Fun Run, two weeks ago in aid of the campaign.

Several entities, including the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, local councils and companies are organising events in aid of the fund, some of which are taking place this weekend.

Political parties and many other organisations wished the President a speedy recovery