Sharks supporting Tongan relief efforts
The Sharks will be seeking donations, both online and at their trial against the Bulldogs on Monday night, to support Tongan relief efforts after the South Pacific nation was severely impacted by a recent tsunami.
During January, a large eruption occurred on Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai, an uninhabited volcanic island and submarine volcano of the Tongan archipelago.
The volcanic eruption and tsunami which followed as a result, caused widespread damage throughout the country with homes destroyed, water sources contaminated and roads inundated by the volcanic ash and seawater.
Such was the severity of the tsunami and volcanic activity, beaches were closed in Australia as ripples were felt around the world.
This disaster has impacted many in Tonga, including a handful of Sharks players who have family and relatives on the island, with Andrew Fifita, Sione Katoa and Siosifa Talakai amongst the NRL squad members heading up the fundraising and relief efforts after learning first-hand the devastation that has been caused.
Dedicated volunteers at the trial at PointsBet Stadium on Monday night will be accepting bucket collections, while donations can also be made online (CLICK HERE), with all monies raised to support the Tongan community.
The Sharks initiative involves cash donations which will go towards purchasing items that will then be transported to the most affected areas and communities.
A list of the most needed supplies was provided by the Tongan Red Cross, while he Sharks have engaged major partners, Aramex with the shipping of the purchased good to the region.
Until recently, Tonga was largely COVID free, with various communities now battling outbreaks in addition to their clean up and recovery efforts. As a result, even more essential items are required to assist what will be a long road to recovery, with PPE’s, water, canned or dry food, raincoats, safety boots or gumboots, hand sanitizers and masks, amongst the items most in demand and to be purchased with the monies raised and sent into the affected areas.
The Tongan Red Cross also run a disability centre at their head office, where children are often in need of wheelchairs, crutches, books and stationaries, items for those with intellectual, autism and language impairments.
Obviously, the more dollars raised, the more the Sharks will be able to purchase for those in desperate need of help.
And without Aramex’s generosity in transporting the items, these relief efforts would not be possible.
To donate online, go to the following link – CLICK HERE – or for those attending Monday night’s trial match, please bring a little extra cash to support the cause.
