An online fundraising campaign initiated by Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and his Bollywood actress wife Anushka Sharma to help India in its battle against the Covid 19 pandemic has raised Rs 3.6 crore (USD 4,91,437.44) in less than 24 hours, the star couple disclosed on Saturday.  

Kolhi and Sharma had themselves donated Rs 2 crore (USD 2,73,020.80) to start the initiative on Indian online crowdfunding platform Ketto on Friday.

The star couple said on social media their target was to raise Rs 7 crore (USD 9,55,572.80).

An elated Kohli took to Twitter on Saturday saying the response has left him overwhelmed.

“3.6 crores in less than 24 hours! Overwhelmed with the response. Let’s keep fighting to meet our target and help the country. Thank you,” he twitted.

Sharma urged everyone to continue donating saying they have crossed the halfway mark.

“Grateful to everyone who has donated so far. Thank you for your contribution. We have crossed the half-way mark, let’s keep going,” she twitted.

On Friday, the couple had broken the news about their initiative to raise funds for Covid-19 relief on Twitter as also in an Instagram video.

Under the hashtag #InThisTogether, they appealed to their “family, friends and fans” to join the campaign.

Saluting all corona warriors, Kohli said: “We are grateful to all the people, who are fighting for us day and night. Their dedication is appreciated. And so Anushka and I have started a fundraiser on Ketto (an Indian crowdfunding platform). We will win this war too if are in it together.”

Sharma said: “Things have been very tough for India as we fight the pandemic. And it really pains us to see the country suffer like this. But they now need our support. We have to stand by them”.

The proceeds from the campaign would go to ACT Grants that is tackling the issue of oxygen supply shortage.

The couple's Rs 2 crore donation is part of  the Rs 7 crore target.

(SAM)