Last year's L-Istrina donation collection record was beaten, as by the end of the telethon €6,048,732 was collected, and the number was still rising as the televised programme ended.

The 19th edition of L- Istrina kicked-off at midday where funds are being collected for the Malta Community Chest Fund.

The €1 million mark was hit at 2.40pm, and as at 4.50pm €2 million was collected. By 7.30pm, €3 million was collected. By 9pm over €4 million was donated, and the €5 million mark was reached by 10pm. The record was beaten at 10.40 pm, as the €5.5 million mark was reached.

The fundraising telethon, the biggest national charity event, was opened by President Marie-Louise 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 will make the event 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 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 Istrina.  "People are ringing 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. 

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

Last year, the event reached a record-breaking amount of €5,514,307 donated over 12 hours.

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

This year it will be located at the Kirkop Pavilion,

The event can be watched here:

 

 

Photos below by Anthony Sultana