Football fans donate toys to children affected by the Turkey-Syria earthquake
For those of you who have been closely watching the news for the past few weeks would know about the heart-breaking and devastating impacts of the Turkey-Syria earthquake. It has left millions of survivors homeless, while thousands have lost their lives. Pictures of children being stuck under rubbles for days at a stretch and old people crying for their families and seeking medical aid, food and drinking water have left the world shaken.
While rescue missions are continuing and countries like India, the USA and several others from Europe have been sending help, something else created a positive stir among the netizens.
Well, as it turns out, recently, a video featuring football fans watching a fund-raising domestic match at the Turkish capital Istanbul became viral (on Twitter) when they filled the pitch with thousands of toys for children affected by the earthquake. They were mostly stuffed toys, like that of the teddy bears and were meant as a gift for all those young brave hearts who managed to survive despite losing everything.
Apart from toys, fans also donated scarves, berets, plush toys and other apparel items. As per several sources, it was a collective goal to cheer up the kids of the earthquake-affected regions.
The match happened between two Turkish soccer clubs: Besiktas and Antalyaspor and took place on the Vodafone Park Ground in Istanbul. Interestingly however, the match was called off only after four minutes and seventeen seconds, the time corresponding to the exact moment the first earthquake struck Turkey and Syria border on 6th February at 4:17 AM. Wondering why the match didn’t happen? Well, because everyone, starting from the players to the match officials and the spectators were all emotional, making it super hard for them to continue a 90 minutes match. The aim was to promote solidarity, not entertain the audience, a player was even heard saying.
Anyhow, as soon as the game was suspended, the supporters organised an event called “this gift is my buddy.” The key objective was to enhance morale of the children. Even prior to the match (during the pre-match ceremony), players from club Besiktas warmed up in shirts with the names of the country’s southern towns that have been ravaged by the devastating earthquakes as a show of support. Spectators were even heard chanting hymns and screaming notes of thanks for all rescue officials.