BTS fans raise £20,000 for India Covid crisis in less than 24 hours

Donation will support medical supply and community kitchen initiatives

Fans of South Korean boy band BTS have raised over £20,000 in less than 24 hours to help India combat its second wave of coronavirus.

The fundraiser, known as “Covid Relief India by BTS Army” on the Indian crowdfunding site Milaap, was supported by a total of 2,465 individuals.

“India is currently facing one of the worst covid outbreaks in the history of the pandemic. The second wave is far deadlier than the first and our healthcare infrastructure is under a lot of pressure. Individuals, as well as organisations, are trying to support the needs of the many affected by covid as best as they can,” the description of the fundraiser says.

Indian fans of the record-breaking group, also known as the ARMY, said the donation will help support initiatives like free oxygen cylinder supply, medical supplies delivery, community kitchen initiatives, and ration kits specifically catering to the homeless and patients at home.

Their primary focus right now is the Anubhuti Trust, TYCIA Foundation, and Mazdoor Kitchen.

The ARMY was able to raise the funds after posting an appeal to BTS’s global fanbase.

They wrote: “As we know India is facing one of the worst 2nd waves of Covid 19, each passing day it’s getting tougher on the health workers and front line workers. We ask ARMYs around the world to help us as it's a helpless situation. “

After 24 hours, an update said: “A total of RS. 21,92,714 (approximately £20,000) were raised in one day. Thank you to everyone who donated and everyone who amplified this initiative. Please follow @CovidReliefIn for more details on the distribution of these funds. Rs.4.5L has already been distributed to 3 causes.”

This is not the first time BTS fans have ventured to help a cause. During the Assam floods in 2020, an account named BTS Helps India raised more than £5,000 for disaster relief.

The ARMY has similarly helped Syrian refugees in Europe and funded safe drinking water projects in the US.