€512,870 were raised during Sunday’s TV Marathon in aid of Dar tal-Providenza. Because of certain restrictions still being enforced by our Health Authorities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole programme was produced on the same lines as those of the new year’s day ‘Festa ta’ Ġenerożità’ marathon. Once again, in order to safeguard the wellbeing and the security of the residents, the annual Volleyball Marathon had to be canceled and nothing happened at the Home’s Siġġiewi car park except for a ‘drive-through’ where persons wanting to make a donation did so without getting out of their car.
Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Dar tal-Providenza thanked the Maltese nation for always believing in the Home and in what it does to see that its residents have the best quality of life possible. Funds raised during this marathon will be going towards a refurbishing project for four flats in Villa Papa Giovanni so that every resident will have a more dignified environment with private rooms and all the amenities.
The important fundraising aspect of TV Marathon including appeals, telephone, and online donations were done at the WE studios in Qormi between noon and midnight. Obviously, everything was done according to the protocols in place by the health authorities including the mandatory wearing of masks, social distancing, separation by perspex, etc.
In the morning, Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna celebrated a thanksgiving Mass on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Ordination to the Priesthood of Fr Martin Micallef. The other priests were Fr Marco Portelli, Fr Charles Attard, Fr Mark Ciantar OFM and Fr Stephen Sciberras OFM. Fr Alex Cauchi, an Augustinian parish priest could not attend because of pastoral duties. The Archbishop reminded the priests of the phrase that St George Preca used to quote on anniversary occasions: “Thank you Lord God, forgive me Lord God.”
At different times of the day. TV Marathon guests in the studios included the President of Malta, Dr George Vella and Mrs. Vella, President Emeritus Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Auxiliary Bishop Mgr. Joseph Galea-Curmi and the Leader of the Opposition and the Nationalist Party, Dr Bernard Grech and Mrs. Grech. Others present at one time or another were ministers, parliamentary secretaries, and members of parliament from both sides of the House as well as political parties delegates. They also spent time answering the phones taking donations.
The televised marathon started at noon and continued till around midnight when the final sum was announced. TVM2, ONE TV, NET TV, Fliving, and Smash TV took part for long stretches of the 12-hour broadcast. This included entertainment provided by top entertainers who represented Malta in past editions of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Anyone still wishing to make a donation may do so by clicking on the website www.sabihlitaghti.com where the relative details pertaining to donations may be found.