On Friday 19 July 2024, H.E. Dr Myriam Spiteri Debono, officially inaugurated the 14th edition of the BOV Volleyball Marathon in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza. Forty players, selected from a total of seventy applicants, started the challenge of fifty-three hours of non-stop volleyball for a noble cause.
In his welcome speech, Fr Martin Micallef while greeting the President of Malta, on her first visit to Dar tal-Providenza, said that the commitment of the players and volunteers sends a positive message to Maltese society that it is rewarding to give. He added that it is wonderful to see young people filled with a great sense of generosity and altruism, who are ready to commit themselves in favour of initiatives in favour of people who need some kind of support, solidarity, or help.
He reminded that Dar tal-Providenza, which this year is on the threshold of its 60th anniversary, needs a lot of funds to continue offering the residential services it offers to people with disabilities. “The help that the Maltese and Gozitan people will be giving through this marathon will continue to fill us with the courage to continue this work in the years to come.”
In her brief address at the opening of the marathon, the President of Malta H.E. Myriam Spiteri Debono mentioned that “by opening the Dar tal-Providenza nearly sixty years ago, Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi filled a significant gap, that existed at the time, in society by providing care and support for people with disabilities and their families.”
She said that this started to raise public awareness about the importance of providing the necessary help to these people so that they have an opportunity to reach their full potential. Above all, so that they avoid unnecessary suffering.
President Myriam Spiteri Debono explained that the costs are substantial and constantly increasing and appealed to the generosity of the people of Malta and Gozo.
Present for the inauguration ceremony were the Hon. Julia Farrugia Portelli, Minister for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, the Hon. Keith Azzopardi Tanti, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation, the Hon. David Agius, Deputy Speaker and Shadow Minister for Sports, the Hon. Graziella Galea, spokeswoman of the Opposition for the Inclusion of the Voluntary sector, Mr Kenneth Farrugia, the CEO of the Bank of Valletta the main sponsor of the marathon, and Siġġiewi Mayor Julian Borg.
In the evening during the three days of the marathon there will be live music on the main stage. On Friday evening from 9:00 pm to midnight, the band Zone 5 will be invited, on Saturday the band Kantera and on Sunday the Spiteri Lucas Band.
The marathon will be broadcast on the local TV channels.
The public can help by calling the numbers below, using BOV Mobile Banking or PayPal and Revolut or donating online to Dar’s bank accounts. For more information about this activity you can visit the site: www.sabihlitaghti.org or call one of the numbers below:
€10 5160 2011
€15 5170 2012
€25 5180 2013
€50 5190 2070
€100 5130 2044
Pledge Line: 2146 3686
BOV Mobile 7932 4834