€519,721 raised from Marathon of Solidarity and Sport in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza
The 12th Edition of the Volleyball Marathon that got under way on Friday was over at midnight on Sunday but not before the sum of €519,721 was raised. The players went through 53 hours of volleyball challenged by the high temperatures that enveloped the Maltese islands. They can now rest fully satisfied that the Maltese public has shown its solidarity with Dar tal-Providenza.
Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home, was right when he said that this marathon was indeed a marathon of solidarity and sport. He said that the altruistic spirit reflected in the number of players and volunteers taking part was nothing but a beautiful picture of the Maltese and Gozitans that could be found on the forefront when it comes to solidarity.
He referred to the last two years when neither the Volleyball Marathon nor so many other fundraising activities could take place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that we are heading back to normality, this Marathon opened the calendar of fundraisers that are so necessary for the Home to continue providing residential services of the highest quality.
During the official start of the Volleyball Marathon on Friday evening, the President of Malta, Dott. George Vella mentioned the work done every day by Dar tal-Providenza that is still doing this with the same energy and determination of its founder Mgr. Mikiel Azzopardi. The President said that the marathon is an occasion in which the Maltese nation unites as one so that with its donations it provides the residents of the Siġġiewi Home with all that they need for the best quality of life which is, after all, their right.
On Sunday morning, Auxiliary Bishop Mgr. Joseph Galea-Curmi concelebrated Mass with Fr Martin in the Home’s chapel. In his homily, he said that the Home is a celebration of love and endearment with a strong message for all. He mentioned three aspects of this message the first one being the acceptance of life from its conception without anyone deciding whether it should be allowed to live or to be discarded. The second celebration is that of inclusion where every human being feels fully part of society and lastly a celebration of solidarity with persons of disability who are in dire need of support. All these are synonymous with the Dar tal-Providenza founded by Mgr. Mikiel Azzopardi 57 years ago.
Besides the 40 players who were the main protagonists of the marathon, there were around 200 volunteers helping out during the event. Every evening there was musical entertainment on the main stage, food stalls and games for kids. The Marathon was broadcast live at various times on the main local TV stations.
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