Aussie Pat Cummins donates $50,000 to India’s COVID relief
Australia’s Pat Cummins has donated $50,000 to India’s COVID-19 relief efforts, as the country braces through a catastrophic second wave of infections.
India was hit with a record jump COVID-19 cases on Monday, with almost 350,000 new infections confirmed in the past 24 hours.
It is the fourth day in a row the country’s daily case numbers have hit world-record levels.
Cummins, who is currently starring in the Indian Premier League with the Kolkata Kight Riders, announced a $50,000 donation to the “PM Cares Fund” to supply oxygen to hospitals overwhelmed by the country’s second wave.
“India is a country I’ve come to love dearly over the years and the people here are some of the warmest and kindest I’ve ever met,” He said in a statement released on Twitter on Monday night.
“To know so many are suffering so much at this time saddens me greatly.
“There has been quite a bit of discussion over here as to whether it is appropriate for the IPL to continue while COVID-19 infection rates remain high. I’m advised that the Indian Government is of the view that playing the IPL while the population is in lockdown provides a few hours of joy and respite each day at an otherwise difficult time for the country
“As players, we are privileged to have a platform that allows us to reach millions of people that we can use for good. With that in mind, I have made a contribution to the “PM Cares FUND,” specifically to purchased oxygen supplied for India’s hospitals.
“I encourage my fellow IPL players – and anyone else around the world who has been touched by India’s passion and generosity – to contribute, I will kick it off with $50,000.
A new travel ban looms for India
“At times like this, it is easy to feel helpless. I’ve certainly felt that of late. But I hope by making the public appeal we can all channel our emotions into action that will bring light into people’s lives.
“I know my donation isn’t much in the grand scheme of things but I hope it will make a difference to someone.”
The situation in India has already led Australian cricketers – Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa, and Andrew Tye – to abandon the IPL and return to Australia.
But Cummins has decided to stay on.
India so far confirmed more than 186,000 deaths and 16 million cases, with three million added in the last two weeks alone.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
