Another Boxing Day has come and gone, meaning another L-Istrina programme has concluded. The annual day-long telethon managed to raise a whopping €6,220,000 that will be entrusted to the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation.

L-Istrina shared some sweet shots of the moment the total was announced. “The nation has once again come together to help those in need. Thank you Malta, thank you Gozo, we truly have something to be proud of!” they wrote in a Facebook post.

The President of Malta Dr George Vella shared L-Istrina’s post, saying “Grazzi!!!” thanking the people. Handling his first L-Istrina as president, Dr George Vella said at the end of the event, “I was not expecting this but it goes to show the true nature of the Maltese who rally to help others when they are called to do so.”

This year, the telethon took a while to get the ball rolling, failing to hit the €3 million mark by 6pm. But luckily, a last-minute boost helped the final amount to hit €6 million by midnight, falling short of last year’s record which stands at €7,134,036.

Kudos to the nation!