Auckland radio station Apna 990 has been successful in raising more than $132,000 in its recent radiothon appeal for the victims of Cyclone Tomas in Fiji.
Station general manager Shaiyaz Mohammed said generous support from the people in New Zealand towards the Fiji Hurricane Appeal had increased pledged amount well beyond their expectations.
Mohammed said people had wholeheartedly supported the cause to help affected people in Fiji.
“The pledged amount of $115,250 jumped to $132,692.83 in BNZ Apna Fiji Hurricane Relief Account as at 9am Monday, March 22, 2010.
Mohammed said the money would be transferred from Bank of New Zealand to New Zealand based Lotus Foreign Exchange account which is providing a better rate at which the funds would then be transferred into Fiji-based Punjas Ltd account - the suppliers of basic food items to the hurricane victims in Fiji.
On Wednesday, Mohammed is off to Fiji with Dharmend Shyam to head the distribution of the basic food items with the assistance of local volunteers and distribution is expected to begin by Thursday afternoon.
More than 2000 people are expected to get the relief supplies such as flour, rice, dhal, milk powder, biscuits, onions, potatoes, salt, canned fish, noodles, tea leaves, washing and bathing soap .
This is the second time since 2009 Fiji Flood Radio Apna has done the Radio-thon.
Last year, in its 54-hour radiothon, the station raised around $200,000 and distributed the basic food items to the flood victims which was heartedly appreciated by thousands of people who received the relief supplies in Lautoka, Ba, Nadi and in other districts around western division.
Mohammed has welcomed volunteers who would like to travel with him on their own expenses for the distribution of basic food items and also requests media to accompany his team for the distribution of food in Fiji.