The fifth Puttinu 60 hour football marathon was held between Friday the 24th and Sunday the 26th of April 2009 at the Marsa Sports Complex in collaboration with the KMS. First of all we would like to thank all the families, sponsors and volunteers, the media who supported us and all those who helped in any way to make this 5th Football Marathon such a huge success.

700 teams participated in this event. Throughout the marathon there was animation for all children of different ages, entertainment for adults, hairdressers and also introducing the auction section for the very first time. Our Marathon Motto was serving the people with a smile and with pleasure whilst not expecting anything else in return. With all the help from hundreds of volunteers, keeping in mind this motto, helped us to achieve the trust of all the Maltese citizens.

We were honoured by the presence of his grace Archbishop of Malta Mons. Paul Cremona and Archbishop of Gozo, Mario Grech, his excellency the President of Malta Dr. George Abela and his wife Mrs. Margaret Abela, the Prim Minister Dr. Laurence Gonzi, the Leader of the Opposition Party Dr. Joseph Muscat and his wife Mrs. Michelle Muscat all attended this event and were very glad to meet our families. Various parliamentarians and M.E.P.s also attended the activities and actively participated in the football matches.

The live transmission on TVM, One Tv, Net, Education 22 channels on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th helped to draw the crowds and aided in this fundraising event. The success of this marathon was also due to the hard work of the staff at Rainbow and many other volunteers. However it would not have been possible without the generosity of many sponsors who helped us in various ways as well as the invaluable coverage and support that was given by individual journalists and presenters, and newspapers, radio and TV stations

The total sum gathered during the 60 hour marathon amounted to EUR 427,123 up till today. The sum was collected from telephone lines, sms, football teams, auction, bar takings, donations from the general public and other different entities. Donations are still coming in however the outstanding balance amounts to EUR 43,000. The final sum will be determined once all income generated from donation lines are received. When every donation is collected the apartments will be paid. We wish that these apartments are considered to be the property of all Maltese citizens to help those families whose children are unfortunately suffering from cancer and need to go abroad for part or all of their treatment. At least they will not need to worry about where they will be staying and can focus better on the needs of their sick child.

Puttinu Cares is registered as a NGO, having a registration number VO/0087 and it will publish its audited financial statement which will be accessible to the general public. In the upcoming weeks, the Puttinu Cares Committee will meet up to evaluate and discuss future projects.

We would like to make it a point that donations are only collected from authorized Puttinu cares persons, donation telephone lines and sms and through bank account. Do not give money to people who are collecting money door-to-door.

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