Picture Credit: Cricket Australia
Cricket Australia have announced an initial donation of $50,000 for UNICEF India’s appeal towards prevailing COVID crisis in India. Their donations will be used in procuring oxygen supplies for seriously ill-patients, providing testing equipment and in rolling out COVID-19 vaccines. “Australians and Indians share a special bond and, for many, our mutual love of cricket is central to that friendship,” said Nick Hockley, CA’s Interim Chief Executive. They highlighted that the board was deeply moved by the donations of Pat Cummins and Brett Lee in the last week. In the same spirit CA wanted to help India fight against the pandemic and contribute towards UNICEF's appeal.
Pat Cummins and Brett Lee lead the way
Australian all-rounder Pat Cummins, who is currently playing for KKR in India, was the first player to make a donation for COVID-hit India. Cummins donated a whopping $50,000 to the PM Cares Fund in India. Following which, former Australian cricketer Brett Lee, who is currently in India for the ongoing IPL donated 1 bitcoin to help India fight the virus. Lee donated specifically to procure oxygen supplies for the patients.
Read More: Brett Lee donates Rs 42 lakh for purchase of oxygen supplies to hospitals across COVID-hit India
Further contributions made by cricketers from across the world
Pat Cummins’ contribution urged many cricketers to add to the cause. PBKS’s Nicholas Pooran and RR’s Jaydev Unadkat have pledged to donate a portion of their IPL salary for procuring essential medical supplies during the COVID crisis. DC’s Shikhar Dhawan has donated 20 lakh to ‘Mission Oxygen’ as well as any cash reward that he receives in the remainder of IPL 2021. KKR’s Sheldon Jackson has also contributed in Gautam Gambhir's foundation to help India battle against COVID. Sachin Tendulkar has donated Rs 1 crore to ‘Mission Oxygen’ to raise funds for importing oxygen concentrators.
Besides this, all 8 franchises of the Indian Premier League have made generous contribution for battling against COVID over the last few days.