AS India battles a growing wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, community groups are helping to raise funds for the struggling nation.<\/p>\n
With the number of newly reported cases in India rising from about 65,000 a day on 1 April to about 370,000 in 24 hours recently, funds are desperately needed to assist the South Asian country.<\/p>\n
In partnership with CARE Australia, founder of not-for-profit group Support Motivate Serve, Bobby Mehta, has kicked off the SMS India COVID Appeal.<\/p>\n
Mr Mehta said India is \u201cpretty much suffocating\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe health system over there is overwhelmed,\u201d he said. \u201cThe second wave is causing devastation, death, destruction. It\u2019s ripping families and communities apart.<\/p>\n
The appeal hopes to raise $20,000, which will be donated to CARE Australia, a humanitarian aid agency that assists with disaster relief efforts.<\/p>\n
Mr Mehta said the money will be used for many things.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting oxygen to India is one thing,\u201d he said. \u201cBut if there are no available hospital beds, then what\u2019s the point in getting oxygen to India?<\/p>\n
\u201cThis money will be used for pretty much everything, like PPE, medication, staffing.\u201d<\/p>\n
More fundraising events are currently in the works, such as a movie fundraiser sponsored by Regent Cinemas, a badminton charity challenge, a pickleball battle, and a basketball charity match at the Minerdome.<\/p>\n
Mr Mehta said if you can\u2019t donate, spread the word.<\/p>\n
\u201cWord of mouth is so important with fundraisers like these,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you\u2019re unable to donate, share the link on Facebook, tell your friends and family about it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more people that know about this appeal, the more help we can offer.\u201d<\/p>\n