New Zealand’s Sikh community has donated $39,000 (NZD $60,000) to the victims of the Christchurch terrorist attack, Kashmir Walla reported.
“No amount of money can change what has happened, or bring back the lives lost. But we can offer our support to victims and their families, so they don’t have to bear this burden alone,” said Auckland-based Jaspreet Singh Rajpura who initiated this fundraising with the support of Sikh Supreme Society on 16 March.
“This couldn’t have been possible without community support. Thank you, everyone. Hope we will always stay strong and stand together again and again,” he added.
It has been three months since a terrorist attacked two mosques in Christchurch, killing 51, injuring 49, and leaving thousands in trauma.
The donation was presented with a cheque to Lianne Dalziel, the Mayor of Christchurch on Wednesday, 12 June at a function in Christchurch.
The local Muslim and Sikh communities were present, including representatives of the two affected mosques, Linwood Islamic Center and the Al Noor Mosque.
Daljit Singh, the spokesperson of Supreme Sikh Society, thanked all Sikh organizations and the local community for their donations.
“We’re very thankful to the people who have made financial contributions,” he said.
“Our hopes, prayers and practical help go out to each and every victim, bystander or loved one affected,” he added.
Millions of dollars have been donated over the past months to the victims of the Christchurch mosque shootings.
About 74,000 donors flocked to one Givalittle page alone, raising more than $5.8 million for the victims and families of Friday’s terror attacks in which 50 Muslim worshippers were killed inside Christchurch mosques.
The page, started by the non-profit Victim Support group, was overwhelmed by financial support from ordinary Kiwis who set a new Givealittle record by raising $3.5m within the first 24 hours.
The LaunchGood fundraising page managed by the NZ Islamic Information Centre which had also collected more than $2m.
Australian teenager William Connolly, known as “egg boy”, has donated about $100,000 to the victims of the Christchurch mosque terrorist attack.