The 12th edition of the Volleyball Marathon came to an end at midnight on Sunday. The sum of €519,721 was raised for Id-Dar tal-Providenza and was collected during the 53 hours of the marathon, in which 40 players and around 200 volunteers participated.
Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home, said this marathon was indeed a marathon of solidarity and sport, and the altruistic spirit was reflected in the number of players and volunteers. He also mentioned the last two years when most fundraising activities stopped.
During the official opening of the Volleyball Marathon on Friday evening, the President of Malta, Dr George Vella mentioned the work done every day by Id-Dar tal-Providenza is still being done with the same energy and determination of its founder Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi. The President said that the marathon is an occasion in which the Maltese nation unites as one so that with its donations it provides the residents of the Siġġiewi Home with all they need for the best quality of life which is, after all, their right.
On Sunday morning, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi concelebrated Mass with Fr Martin in the Home’s chapel. In his homily, he mentioned that the Home is a celebration of love and endearment with a strong message for all. He mentioned three aspects of this message, the first one being the acceptance of life from its conception without anyone deciding whether it should be allowed to live or to be discarded. The second celebration is that of inclusion where every human being feels fully part of society and lastly a celebration of solidarity with persons of disability who are in dire need of support. All these are synonymous with Id-Dar tal-Providenza founded by Mgr. Mikiel Azzopardi 57 years ago.