
MUMBAI: Two Indian Premier League franchises - Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals - along with former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, on Thursday collectively donated Rs 100 million to procure oxygen concentrators for COVID-19 patients in the country as it battles a severe second wave of the global pandemic.
The former cricketer on Thursday donated Rs 10 million to procure oxygen concentrators in a health-care system that has collapsed due to the crisis with hospitals struggling to provide oxygen and crucial medicines to the infected patients.
A few days back, Australia and Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Pat Cummins had donated $ 50,000 to purchase oxygen supplies for Indian hospitals.
India is witnessing an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 infections and recorded a single-day rise of 379,257 new cases on Wednesday.
Rajasthan Royals announced a contribution of Rs 75 million ($1 million) to help in providing aid to people impacted by the pandemic.
“Players along with the team owners and team management have come forward to raise funds and have been working along with the Rajasthan Royals’ philanthropic arm Royal Rajasthan Foundation (RRF) in partnership with the British Asian Trust (BAT).
“BAT works closely with the Indian Government on many initiatives – especially in the area of skills and education. The Trust’s founder, Prince Charles, launched an emergency “Oxygen for India” appeal, which is currently focused on acquisition and distribution of oxygen concentrators, devices that can provide the enriched gas straight from the air, to treat patients when hospital supplies are under strain.
“The funds raised by Rajasthan Royals will help pan India, with an initial focus on the state of Rajasthan, where the RRF, Chaired by Ranjit Barthakur, has numerous initiatives it continues to support.
“Having the team owners and its players come together has enabled this initiative to reach the scale it has, providing aid to tackle the current crisis and help people get the single most pressing necessity at this time – Oxygen,” RR said in a release.
IPL team Delhi Capitals on Thursday pledged Rs 15 million in support of the national capital’s fight against the raging COVID-19 pandemic.
The amount will be used to procure essential medical supplies, ranging from oxygen cylinders and concentrators to COVID wellness kits.
“Together, the franchise and its patrons, the JSW Foundation & GMR Varalakshmi Foundation are offering financial support amounting to INR 1.5 crore to NCR based NGOs the Hemkunt Foundation and the Uday Foundation,” Delhi Capitals said in a statement.
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