Australian Cricket has said that they are deeply saddened due to the current situation in India because of the second wave of coronavirus, as Australians share a strong bond and connection of friendship with India. Australian cricket in association with Cricket Australia, the Australian Cricketers' Association, and UNICEF Australia to raise the much-needed funds.
UNICEF Australia is procuring and will install oxygen generation plants in hospitals to treat seriously ill patients, will provide testing equipment in heavily impacted districts, and will also support the acceleration of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
Australian Cricket will make an initial donation of $50,000 and will try to encourage Australians around the globe to help people in India at this critical time.
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Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia's Interim CEO in an official statement said, "Australians and Indians share a special bond and for many, our mutual love of cricket is central to that friendship. It has been distressing and saddening to learn about the suffering of so many of our Indian sisters and brothers during the second wave of coronavirus pandemic and our hearts go out to everyone impacted."
Earlier Pat Cummins and Bratt Lee donated their share to help India to fight against the virus, on this he added, "We were all deeply moved by the sentiments expressed and donations given by Pat Cummins and Brett Lee over the past week. And 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."
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CEO of UNICEF Australia welcomed the invitation of partnership with Australian Cricket and said, "We know that sports has the power to bring people together and there has never been a more important time. UNICEF has been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic and as the world's largest children's charity we know the devasting and life-long consequences this emergency will have, in particular, on children and young people."
India has trapped in the web of Coronavirus and has reported more than 3 lakh cases per day for the past few weeks.