Your report (TMID, 3 January) saying that the Maltese contributed Lm1.9 million to charity and political parties in just over three weeks, confirms that we are not a poor nation as many people would like to think.

If the people are in dire financial straits because of the rise in the electricity and water surcharge and the slow economic situation of the country, they would not have delved their hands into their pockets to give so much.

In your report, you indicated that per capita, the Maltese donated Lm4.74 each to charity and political organisations during the Christmas period. I would go one step further. By eliminating children, whose contribution to these causes was minimal, the amount would rise to Lm6.13 per person.

This is already a big sum in itself. But if one were to add the amount of money that is donated to charitable institutions privately – both by families and companies – then the amount would be much, much higher.

We are a generous people, and we do like to help others in need. L-Istrina organisers might be disappointed that the amount collected – excluding the sale of the cars and the auction – is less than last year. But I believe that what they managed to achieve in just 15 hours is amazing for a small country like ours.

We should all be proud of ourselves.

M. Caruana

San Gwann