Members of the Yorkshire business community have come together to support the COVID crisis in India by purchasing and donating 100 oxygen concentrators.

The donation effort was co-ordinated by Sandeep Gupta, owner of Bradford based homewares and textiles business SK Imports. He funded ten of the concentrators himself and rallied friends and business contacts to help out, eventually funding 100 in total.

Joining him in making the donations were; Rajeev Dhand of Medichem Pharmacy, Rohin Dhand of Leeds based Mayfair Group Investment.

Mr Gupta says, “We’re very worried by the escalating Covid crisis in India and we just knew we had to do our bit to help. By combining the efforts and donations of my generous friends and business contacts, we were able to secure 100 oxygen concentrators which will provide lifesaving support for patients in community hospitals, who cannot afford private healthcare and are missing out on vital treatment.”

Securing the concentrators took some time and effort but Sandeep used the network acquired through his global imports business to source them from a manufacturer in Hong Kong, who shipped them directly to Delhi via cargo plane. They were then distributed to the community hospitals by a local Sikh Gudwara, to ensure that they were sent to those who need them most.

The response to Mr Gupta’s request for donations surpassed his expectations and has inspired future community initiatives here in Yorkshire. He says, “So many people from all different backgrounds and religions have supported us and it’s been inspiring to see what can be achieved when we work together. There’s been such an amazing response and desire to give back, we’re already planning further community initiatives here in the UK, which will focus on creating opportunities for young people from challenged backgrounds.”

Several charities including Oxfam and The British Asian Trust have launched fundraising campaigns to deliver oxygen concentrators and vital medical supplies to India as the impacts, of the surge in the pandemic are still being felt worldwide.