The 10th edition of the BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon for Id-Dar tal-Providenza was officially launched earlier this week. The 53-hour long marathon will kick off on Friday, 29 June at 6.30pm in the car park of the residential home and come to an end at 11.30pm on Sunday, 1 July.
The press conference was addressed by Michelle Muscat, chairperson of the Marigold Foundation - BOV in the Community and Fr Martin Micallef, director at Id-Dar tal-Providenza. They were accompanied by Elvia George, chief Finance officer at Bank of Valletta and Emanuel Zammit, chairperson of the Marathon's Organising Committee.
Fr Martin said: "The marathon is an annual fund-raising event for Id-Dar tal-Providenza that really puts altruism to the fore. This marathon sees sportsmanship and volunteerism working hand-in-hand with the sole aim of raising funds to ensure that this Home continues to offer a family-like environment for its residents, who now number 115."
He went on to explain that: "The Home's mission has always been that of integrating its residents as much as possible within the social fibre of the Maltese society, an aim which is being reached primarily through the setting up of homes in different localities. Here the residents are able to lead a more independent life with all the support they need."
Fr Martin expressed his gratitude towards the public who has always risen to the occasion and given its support to this labour of love, as recently as during the Xarabank programme of Friday, 8 June, where the sum of €335,293 was raised.
Fr Martin explained that the running costs of the Home run up to €12,000 daily. In addition to the support workers, the Home employs various specialists to support the residents, including occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
Corroborating on Fr Martin's intervention, Mrs Muscat explained that the Home is unique in terms of the "family atmosphere" that it provides to the persons with disability residing there. "Over the years, since the Marigold Foundation has been collaborating with Id-Dar tal-Providenza, whenever we visit, it always feels that we are coming home and the bond between the support workers, the volunteers and the residents themselves is truly genuine." Mrs Muscat urged the people to continue supporting Id-Dar tal-Providenza so it continues to provide a caring environment to its residents and helps them achieve their full potential."
George said that it is a great satisfaction for Bank of Valletta to retain its support towards this event through the Marigold Foundation. "We are confident that this year's edition will be another success story that will continue to testify our generosity as a nation.
"At Bank of Valletta we are pleased to give our support to help this Home, whose name is synonymous with the loving and caring environment it provides to its residents, to continue playing its vital role in our society."
Zooming in on the role of the volleyball players, Zammit explained that over 80 players have volunteered to participate this year. They have already undergone gruelling training, with the final players to participate in the marathon being announced after the 24-hour trial earmarked for the coming weekend.
"As always this marathon is possible only because of the unfailing generosity of our 200-strong army of volunteers who take care of everything from the entertainment to the food stalls and the children's area."
Zammit said that the marathon itself will be broadcast live on the main TV stations but urged the public to visit the Home and support the players who will be playing volleyball round the clock for 53 hours straight.
The BOV Marigold Volleyball marathon will be inaugurated by the President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca on Friday, 29 June at 6pm.
Contributions can be made by calling on 51702012 for a €15 donation, 51802013 for a €25 donation and 51902070 for a €50 donation. A donation of €6.99 can be made by sending a blank SMS to 50618944. BOV Mobile Pay subscribers may also make their donation on 79324834.