Cricket Australia on Monday announced an initial donation of USD 50,000 towards the Covid-19 crisis appeal set up by the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) for India.
The money which amounts to Rs 37 lakhs, approximately donated by Cricket Australia will be used to procure oxygen for seriously ill patients suffering from the second wave of Covid-19, providing various types of equipment in affected regions as well as supporting the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines.
Cricket Australia Is Proud To Partner With UNICEF Australia To Raise Funs To Help Indian People Battling With Covid-19
Cricket Australia, along with the Australian Cricketers’ Association, is also partnering with UNICEF Australia to collect funds for the COVID-19 Crisis Appeal.
“Australians and Indians share a special bond and, for many, our mutual love of cricket is central to that friendship. We were all deeply moved by the sentiments expressed and donations given by Pat Cummins and Brett Lee over the past week. In that same spirit, we are proud to partner with UNICEF Australia to raise funds that will help the people of India by providing the health system with much-needed oxygen, testing equipment, and vaccines,” Cricket Australia’s interim chief executive Nick Hockley said.
It was Australian and KKR quick Pat Cummins who was the first cricketer to make a handsome donation of $50,000 towards the PM Cares Fund to help India fight the super-contagious second wave of coronavirus which has brought the country’s already-weak healthcare system to its knees.
Cricketers from all around the world started contributing towards the cause after pacer Pat Cummins, who is currently in India plying his trade for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2021, showed them the way.
Sachin Tendulkar, Brett Lee, Shikhar Dhawan, Jaydev Unadkat, And Nicholas Pooran Among Cricketers Donating For General Mass Suffering From 2nd Wave Of Covid-19
Former Aussie pacer Brett Lee donated 1 Bitcoin (Rs. 40 lakhs, approximately) to the Crypto Relief Fund to help his “second home” India. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who had contracted coronavirus last month, donated Rs 1 crore to a fundraising campaign while opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan pledged Rs 20 lakh towards Mission Oxygen, as well any cash reward that he receives in the remainder of the IPL 2021.
All 8 franchises of the cash-rich league have also made generous donations towards the cause over the last few days. A massive surge in COVID-19 cases has placed a huge strain on India’s health system, with a shortage of hospital beds and oxygen supplies, and morgues and crematoriums swamped.
Rajasthan Royals pacer Jaydev Unadkat said 10% of his IPL salary will be contributed to help covid-19 patients who need essential medical resources. Punjab batsman Nicholas Pooran has also decided to donate a portion of his Indian T20 League salary to help people in India fight the pandemic.
India reported 392,488 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, pushing the total cases to 19.56 million. Deaths jumped by a record of 3,689, taking the overall toll to 215,542.