SAFM’s Bec, Cosi & Lehmo start Indian fundraising drive to help with COVID catastrophe

SAFM’s Breakfast show Bec, Cosi & Lehmo will kick off a fundraising drive tomorrow morning in a bid to provide 50,000 meals to the most vulnerable people in India during its escalating COVID-19 crisis.

The country has reported over 25 million cases of the disease to date and throughout May has experienced upwards of 400,000 cases per day. The ensuing restrictions and lockdowns have put the country’s most vulnerable at even further risk as business closures, transportation difficulties and decreasing work reduce access to food.

Donations of $50 will help families in Uttarakhand where 1,000 children under the age of nine have caught COVID-19 over the past 10 days.

The fundraising initiative will be done in conjunction with Project India and will involve rice, dhal, flour, oil, salt, spices, vegetables and bananas being delivered to those in need. Photos of those benefiting from the drive will be shared on the Bec, Cosi & Lehmo Facebook page.

Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello noted how fortunate Australians living in Australia are at the moment.

“We have all been saddened and horrified at the scenes in India during during this COVID outbreak,” he said. “The ‘Indian Rice Run’ gives Aussies the chance to be able to help a family on the other side of the world.

“Just by living in Australia, we have won the lottery of life. So, I feel we need to use that position to lift up those who are less fortunate than us at home around the world.”

The initiative kicks off tomorrow from 6am.