President Eddie Fenech Adami and Mrs Fenech Adami yesterday attended the presentation of the Star Prizes, in connection with L-Istrina’s fund-raising campaign, at St George’s Square in Valletta.
The presentation of nine Kia cars which will be given as prizes throughout the charity fund-raising show tomorrow, was made after a carcade from Freedom Square to St George’s Square.
“Each time a person will call on the show and donate Lm5, their names will be automatically registered electronically and thus they will participate in the draw of the nine Kia Cars presented today. The winners will be selected randomly,” explained L-Istrina’s coordinator, Gordon Pace who is also Razzett Tal-Hbiberija’s fund raising manager, since PBS has subcontracted Razzett Tal-Hbiberija to organise L-Istrina this year.
Dr Fenech Adami said: “We came here today to see the cars which are to be drawn as prizes this Saturday as part of L-Istrina. It is my sincere wish that L-Istrina does as well as in previous years and even better! I am expressing this wish because the Community Chest Fund is always receiving more and more requests for help.
“L-Istrina has become an institution which is only possible due to the generosity of the Maltese people. I would like to thank all the contributors who are participating, such as the car sponsors, but also those who gave their services, such as Peppi Azzopardi and all the other persons present in this programme,” added Dr Fenech Adami.
The cars were donated by a number of sponsors such as McDonalds, Go Group, MCP Car Park and the Tumas Group.
“L-Istrina is there for everyone, because some time or another everyone needs a helping hand,” said show presenter Peppi Azzopardi after mentioning the case of a woman who wanted to volunteer on the show but whose son got seriously ill in the meanwhile, and now it was she who needed help instead. He also emphasised the hard work done in the last few months by the whole team.
Mr Pace said: “L-Istrina’s auction, which was held at St James Cavalier on Boxing Day, went very well. In fact over Lm7,000 was raised, and 90 paintings were sold out of the 118 paintings donated.
“This was the first time the auction was held before the actual show and we are pleased that it was a success,” he added. The auction’s positive turnout bodes well for tomorrow’s show. “During the show we will also be including footage about a number of people who received last year’s donations, to show the reality of different situations, and what positive changes were made thanks to the donations given,” concluded Mr Pace.
L-Istrina will be held from noon to midnight tomorrow at Ta’ Qali – 12 full hours of entertainment.