Dar tal-Providenza marathon raises record sum

A record €617,585 were raised yesterday during the 14th New Year’s Open Day at the Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi.

The fund raising marathon was organised by Radio RTK.

Director, Fr Martin Micallef, thanked the hundreds of volunteers who took part in the organisation and the Maltese people, including emigrants who made donations through the internet, who once again showed their values of solidarity and generosity with the Dar tal-Providenza.

He said this money would go a long way towards providing a better life to its residents.

The day included visits by President George Abela, Speaker Louis Galea, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat, Archbishop Paul Cremona, Gozo bishop Mario Grech and Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Mercieca. They were presented with a limited edition print by Debbie Caruana Dingli commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi, the home’s founder.

Live television broadcast started at 9 a.m. with Mass from the chapel of the home and continued till just after midnight when the total sum collected during the day was announced.