Update 2 – 10.45pm: Just over €3.2 million has so far been either pledged or collected during Istrina 2014 events in Malta and Gozo.

Istrina 2014 Feast of Solidarity, is underway at the Mediterranean conference Centre, and was opened by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

A dance number by the resident dance school YADA was the first act to perform at the opening, which also included statements by the Prime Minister, Dr Joseph Muscat and the Opposition Leader, Dr. Simon Busuttil. The event is being televised on the main channels. The Bank of Valletta presented the sum of €135,000 during the live broadcast of L-Istrina representing funds collected through the L-Istrina BOV Piggy Bank Campaign which were then doubled by the Bank.

BOV CEO Charles Borg, accompanied by a number of children holding BOV piggy banks, presented the donation to The President HE Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and Mr Edgar Preca during the live broadcast.HSBC Malta Foundation donated €50,000 to L-Istrina at the start of the 12-hour national fundraising marathon at Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta. As one of the main sponsors of l-Istrina and the Malta Community Chest Fund, HSBC Malta Foundation supported the initiative through the donation.

In addition to the €50,000, HSBC Malta presented other donations from events organised by the Bank’s staff members for a total of €4,000 from the sale of Poinsettias, and yet another €2,500 raised by HSBC’s annual Triathlon.

The Bank’s contributions were presented to President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca by HSBC Malta’s Head of Commercial Banking Michel Cordina.

Gozo Istrina events are being held from now until late evening, at the parking area adjacent to the Arkadia Complex in Victoria.

Istrina 2013 raised the record amount of €3,414,386 in the 12-hour telephone marathon.

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