Gurlaine Kaur Garcha has set up a GoFundMe page amid India's coronavirus crisis.
Gurlaine Kaur Garcha
The 'EastEnders' actress is raising money for charities supplying oxygen cylinders to people who are battling COVID-19 in the country, where hospitals are running out of life-saving oxygen supplies, and the page has already received more than £11,000 in donations in just two days.
She wrote on the page: "My name is Gurlaine Kaur Garcha and I am trying to raise funds for charities supplying Oxygen Cylinders to those battling Covid in India.
"Please donate if you can, any amount you can give will help. Let's save lives. India is dying and they are in desperate times of need. They need our help. (sic)"
Several of Gurlaine's 'EastEnders' co-stars have donated, including Gillian Wright (Jean Slater), Kellie Bright (Linda Carter), Priya Davdra (Iqra Ahmed), (Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Beale), Clair Norris (Bernie Taylor), and Tanya Franks (Rainie Highway), and their former co-star Rukku Nahar (Habiba Ahmed).
Gurlaine - who plays Dr. Ash Panesar in the BBC One soap - later issued an update as her initial £10,000 target was nearly hit, admitting she is trying to work directly with families to portion funds to those who need oxygen for their loved ones.
She wrote: "As mentioned at the start of this fundraiser a portion of these funds will be donated to the Hemkunt Foundation who are doing incredible work. I will also be buying some Oxygen Concentrator machines for Khalsa Aid to send to India.
"After speaking with someone in the midst of the crisis, he explained that there are many families struggling financially and are also unable to reach charities that are receiving over 10,000 calls a day. As a result, they are unable to get any help. I will be trying my best to work directly with these families and a portion of these funds will be used to help them purchase Oxygen for their loved ones.
"The situation is now reaching Ludhiana, and there are reports that hospital beds are already unavailable. I will be keeping an eye on this situation, and if needed funds will be distributed here also.
"Thank you! (sic)"
India's hospitals are being overwhelmed as the country has seen more than 18.7 million coronavirus cases, and over 208,000 deaths.
Earlier this week, India set an unwanted record rise of cases, with more than 386,000 in one day and just under 3,500 deaths.
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