Talbot & Bons, the cafe-wine-lounge at Skyparks Business Centre, Luqa, have raised over €5,500 during a 50-hour live music marathon in aid of YMCA Homeless and the Hospice Movement.
Spread over three days from 17-19 October, there was music non-stop, with over 45 acts, musicians and bands covering a diversity of genres, as well as Malta's most known personalities, who were present to raise awareness on both philantropic organisations that are benefiting from the funds raised during the marathon.
Among the heavyweight performers were Red Electrik, Gianluca Bezzina, Nadine Axisa, Claudia Faniello, Olivia Lewis, Pamela Bezzina, Glen Vella and Rachel Fabri. The Vinny Vella quartet, the Jes Psaila and Friends band, the Carl Borg band, the Harry Eddleston trio, the Dumtak trio, the Kizum Klof duo, Alwyn Borg Myatt, Infinite Loop, The Residents, Ellipse, Criminal Kiss, Sandrina & Keith (Kiko), Dbanned and Ben Purplle also took part.
Other household names who helped spread awareness by being present during this marathon included journalist Keith Demicoli, film-makers Mark Doneo and Louise Doneo, , TV personalities Marie Briguglio and Xandru Grech, Qormi mayor Rosianne Cutajar, Social Solidarity Minister Helena Dalli, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici and MPs Silvio Schembri, Kristy Debono and Ian Borg.
During the three-day marathon, some of these personalities spent the night camped on the Talbot & Bons terrace to raise awareness on the plight of homeless people.
On 18 October the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, paid a visit and met representatives of the two organisations benefiting from the marathon. That morning there was also animation for children, face painting, attractions and a music repertoire that appealed to the children.
"This was the first time we at Talbot & Bons have organised a corporate social responsibility activity on such a big scale and we are satisfied with the results achieved," Talbot & Bons owners Amy Talbot and Alan Mercieca Bons said.
Funds were raised through a variety of activities, including sales of merchandise, SMS donations, subsidised food items and raffles. The main sponsor of the marathon was Methode Electronics, with supporting sponsors Entertainment.com.mt, Pure Concepts, AF Sign Studios, The Vodafone Malta Foundation, Mochika, Enba wines, Microsoft, Toyota, General Soft Drinks (Coca-Cola), Nexos lighting, Besteam and Band Aid Music.