Updated 8.40pm
L-Istrina raised more than €3.4 million by 7.40pm on Friday, as the country digs deep into its pockets to raise funds in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund (MCCF).
Donations have been pouring in from the public, with large contributions also seen from large companies as well as donations from schoolchildren.
In a statement announcing a €312,000 donation, Bank of Valletta said €62,000 had been contributed by primary and secondary school children across the country.
Prime Minister Robert Abela announced a donation of €100,000 from the Social Causes Fund.
The Bottle Collection and Recovery Scheme, which allows depositers to assign their bottle deposit refunds to the MCCF, announced €92,000 pledge.
The yearly TV programme, now in its 30th edition, will run to midnight and is broadcast on most major channels. It is being held at the Kirkop Sports Complex, and features live performances and guest appearances from well-known public figures.
President Myriam Spiteri Debono, alongside Robert Abela, Opposition leader Alex Borg and Archbishop Charles Scicluna, opened this year’s broadcast.
President Myriam Spiteri Debono (R) manning a phone during the event. Photo: Jonathan Borg.The 12-hour telethon will raise funds used to help patients and their families battling serious conditions such as cancer, including those requiring treatment abroad.
It began in 1995 and, over the years, has become a Boxing Day TV staple for many Maltese households. In 2018, the public donated a record €7 million.
Last year, the telethon raised €5.2 million.
Several band clubs from around the country also took part in Friday’s event.
Well-known TV personality Peppi Azzopardi (centre) is hosting the televised fundraiser. Photo: Jonathan Borg.Ahead of the fundraiser, the programme’s organisers highlighted several cases of those helped by the Community Chest Fund, such as 13-year-old Thiago, who regularly travels to the UK for treatment for a rare condition affecting his vision.
Sixteen-year-old Yasmeen, meanwhile, was helped by the fund as she spent almost a year in the UK recovering from brain tumour surgery. She has since returned to Malta to continue her studies at MCAST.
Like previous years, hairdressers will take part in the event at the Kirkop Sports Complex, where they will be cutting and collecting hair to create wigs for patients who have lost their hair due to medical treatment.
L-Istrina is being broadcast live from 12pm on all local TV stations. To find out more, visit the programme’s Facebook page.
Donations poured in throughout the day. Photo: Istrina