What started as a playful social media joke involving one of Malta’s most familiar names has ended with a €500 donation to Puttinu Cares.
PANINA sparked the story after joking online that a certain Matthew Borg had left without paying for his meal, using the fictional customer as a light-hearted way to showcase some of its food.
Then a real Matthew Borg joined the conversation and suggested putting all the attention to better use by raising money for a good cause.
€5 for every Matthew Borg
PANINA took up the suggestion and launched a challenge, pledging €5 to Puttinu Cares for every unique Matthew Borg tagged under its follow-up post.
The response eventually brought the total raised through the challenge to €320. PANINA owner Kurt Bezzina then chose to round up the amount, bringing the final donation to €500.
Bezzina has since visited Puttinu Cares to present the donation, accompanied by some cannoli for the team.
Puttinu Cares thanked PANINA and everyone who took part, giving particular recognition to Matthew Borg for suggesting that the social media idea could become an opportunity to support the organisation.
It is a fitting ending to a campaign that began with a joke about an unpaid meal and Malta’s seemingly endless supply of Matthew Borgs, but ultimately turned a bit of online fun into €500 for a good cause.
