The body of former Department of Information photographer Martin Attard was flown back to Malta yesterday following a public appeal for funds by his daughter.

Desiree Attard, 28, last week called for financial support to collect around €4,000 to fly back her father’s body after he passed away suddenly while on holiday in Croatia.

Immediately after her appeal, people started donating, and Ms Attard was overwhelmed with the huge response. Enough money was collected to fly her father back to Malta yesterday afternoon.

“A massive thank you to everyone for their support,” she said.

Besides being a professional photographer, Mr Attard was also a songwriter and composer and, in 1995, won the prize Għanja tal-Poplu with the popular song Pajjiz tal-Miki Maws.

His sudden death on July 23, aged 58, shocked many in the media scene. Ms Attard thanked Malta International Airport, which sponsored flights for herself and her sister back to Malta from London. She also thanked the Malta Community Chest Fund and the Maltese government for their help.

“I am so appreciative of everyone’s support and, in return, I plan to give the sum back to Puttinu Cares if my dad’s travel insurance money claim is successful,”she said.

Mr Attard’s funeral arrangements will soon be announced.