€1,040,855 raised for Id-Dar tal-Providenza

The record sum of €1,040,855 was raised during the Feast of Generosity organised by RTK4Charity in aid of id-Dar tal-Providenza. The nice weather helped and large crowds made it to Siġġiewi during the day to make their donation and join the fun under the big tent set up in the parking lot. As happens every year, various parishes in Malta and Gozo made special collections during church celebrations and presented them during the telethon.

The Director, Fr Martin Micallef, said that this edition of the Feast of Generosity has once again shown the solidarity with and generosity of the Maltese people towards Id-Dar tal-Providenza. He said these funds will help the Home to continue to improve on the quality of life of its residents.

The first official visitor was Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna who also celebrated Mass in the Home’s chapel. He urged that people with disability can find the place they deserve in our society and that they find the care that id-Dar tal-Providenza bears witness to.

Other visits during the day were made by the President of Malta, Mrs Marie Louise Coleiro Preca and her husband Edgar; the Prime Minister, Dr Joseph Muscat; the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Simon Busuttil; the Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing, Dr Justyne Caruana; Archbishop Emeritus, Mgr Pawl Cremona OP and Vicar General Mgr Joe Galea Curmi. Members of Parliament from both sides of the House and representatives of constituted bodies also made it to Siġġiewi during the day.

As part of the Feast of Generosity, €31,251 were raised through an auction of various works of art donated by more than ninety artists. Various bids were placed online but most bidders were there personally to follow the process.

The live television broadcast started at 9.00am with Holy Mass and continued till just after midnight when the total sum collected during the day was announced amidst the joy and celebrations of the organisers and volunteers. PBS, ONE TV, NET TV and FLiving Channel took part for long stretches of the 15-hour televised marathon. This included entertainment provided by the top singers on the island and various entertainers that managed to create a festive family atmosphere.