The Manoel Island: Post Għalina campaign, which is calling for the islet to be turned into a national heritage park, has launched a crowdfunding effort as it enters its second and final month before the petition closes for signatures.

Campaigners say that "every cent raised will be used to promote the parliamentary petition calling on the government to renegotiate the contract with the private concessionaire that aims to build hundreds of luxury apartments on Manoel Island."

"The parliamentary petition has been wildly successful," said Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar coordinator Astrid Vella. "In just one month, it has already eclipsed the previous petition, showing that public support for a national heritage park on Manoel Island has only become more popular in the last five years."

The previous parliamentary petition obtained 7,571 signatures in the allowed two-month timeframe, while the current petition has over 7,600 signatures in half the time, a statement by the campaign read.

The Manoel Island: Post Għalina campaign is being led by FAA and Moviment Graffitti, and has been endorsed by over 40 organisations, including ones related to mental health and fitness, along with the Church's Environmental Commission.

Campaign representative Robert Louis Fenech said: "This is our last chance to change course and turn Manoel Island into a place for everyone to enjoy."

Fenech said that the proceeds from the crowdfunding effort will be used to promote the campaign and reach new audiences.

Reflecting on the campaign's reception since its launch one month ago, he said: "It has become clear that there is no shortage of support for the call to turn Manoel Island into a national heritage park. That is why we are now asking for supporters to turbo-charge this campaign with their financial backing."

Donations to the Manoel Island: Post Għalina campaign can be made to FAA (card payment) or Moviment Graffitti (bank transfer). More information is available on the campaign's website: https://www.manoelislandcampaign.com/