Ethnic communities work hard to fundraise

The Government decision to make more money available to match public donations for the tsunami appeal was welcomed yesterday by Auckland's ethnic groups, who are raising funds to help stricken families in their former homelands.

The new amount of $19 million for dollar-for-dollar matching of public donations includes $5 million already allocated.

More than $14 million has already been raised.

In Auckland, the United Sri Lanka Association has raised $45,000 to support that country's state child-protection agency in rebuilding orphanages. 

Sri Lanka Buddhist Trust secretary Manjula Walgampola said $53,000 had been collected so far in its appeal through the ANZ Bank.

In South Auckland, Tamil members of the Elim Church have raised about $24,000.

They sent two containers of donated water along with food and kitchen items brought to the church.

But a donated fridge and beds are too bulky to send to Sri Lanka and will be offered at a garage sale at 1 Waipuna Rd, at 7 am on Saturday. It is hoped the garage sale will raise $3000 needed for babies' bottles and school books.

Auckland Indian Association appeal organiser Dharmesh Parikh said collection boxes would be brought in and counted on January 28 - the day of Vande Mataram, Indian Independence Day celebrations.

Proceeds of a concert being held at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Newton that night will be added.

Two volunteer doctors have left Auckland for Sri Lanka to receive a container-load of medical supplies arranged by Harish Bajaj of the Rotary Club of Auckland City Sunrise.

The Indonesian community in New Zealand has raised $25,000 for relief in the Aceh area of the island of Sumatra.

Bermia, the Auckland Indonesian community group, will hold an Indonesia Food Bazaar on February 12 at the Wesley Community centre, Sandringham Rd, Mt Roskill.

Appeal organiser Dadang Nugraha said a sponsorship programme was being arranged for Aceh orphans.

He said Bermia's efforts were ineligible for the Government grant because it was not a registered charity.

* Meanwhile, many of New Zealand's former soccer greats and a number of celebrities will play a charity match in Auckland tomorrow night.

An All Whites invitation XI, including many of the 1982 World Cup squad and to be led out by their coach John Adshead (just back from Oman), will play an Auckland City All Stars team including just-retired Black Cap Mark Richardson, former All Blacks Frank Bunce and Robin Brooke at Kiwitea St, Sandringham, at 7pm.

Organiser Brian Turner hoped around $15,000 would be raised from donations, raffles and an auction of sporting memorabilia.