THE British Asian Trust (BAT) and the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Santha (BAPS) are just two organisations among several that are raising funds to help Covid-stricken patients in the subcontinent.
Chief executive of BAT, Richard Hawkes, said its “Oxygen for India Emergency Appeal” will raise funds for oxygen concentrators, and together with their local partners in India, equipment will be deployed to the hospitals and patients who need them most.
In its appeal, the trust, whose patron is Prince Charles, said £50 will provide oxygen for 40 patients struggling to breathe; £450 will pay for a low-flow oxygen concentrator to help 900 patients with breathing difficulties while £830 will fund a high flow oxygen concentrator to help 550 of the most seriously ill patients.
Another organisation that has launched an emergency appeal is the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Sanstha in the UK, with its headquarters at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, north London.
BAPS in India set up a 500-bed facility in Atladara (in Vadodara, Gujarat), equipped with ICU facilities, as well as providing life-saving oxygen, PPE for medical staff; meals and accommodation for volunteers, elderly and the vulnerable.
In addition, BAPS also provided bedding, kitchen units, water supply, electricity, fans, air cooling units, mobile toilet and bathroom units, and parking facilities.
Yogvivekdas Swami, head of Neasden Temple, said, “The situation in India is dire and critical. Thousands are dying daily, so please do donate generously to help support the BAPS relief work and save lives. His Holines Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj left a legacy with his ethos, ‘In the joy of others lies our own.’ There has perhaps never been a more critical and opportune moment to embody this noble principle.”
Donations can be made by visiting neasdentemple.org/donate or emailing donate@uk.baps.org
https://givematch.com/causes/british-asian-trust-uk
https://go.pardot.com/e/783273/campaign -indiacovidappeal/zsg8/40195013?h=g_T0jH7gPtawPOZoohTL8IXv7GsQojj3nYuwaUNQ4YA
Dhatt with sons Jasvinder and Parminder
Dhatt as a young soldier
Dhatt with the then Prince of Wales, and the late Queen
Dhatt gardening at home
Dhatt with his granddaughter Amrit