In a unique attempt to raise funds for the construction of an orphanage, V Care Society has come up with a bidding enterprise that auctions memorabilia of celebrities. Hosting a trial bid on Friday, badminton player Parupalli Kashyap’s jersey was sold for Rs 5000 while his track suit went for Rs 650. The NGO however will expand their operation to a virtual bidding platform with the launch of their website – www.bidforcause.org – in two weeks.
V Care Society was started in 2008 by Gudi Sandeep for the orphaned and abandoned HIV infected children. Moved by the grief of his friend’s sudden demise, Sandeep set up the society in his friend’s memory along with 150 other young professionals and businessmen and has since been providing shelter and food to about 100 orphans which include 60 HIV positive children. They currently operate out of a leased building located at Ashok Nagar and have plans to build an orphanage which can house as many as 300 children. Run by a collaboration between friends, family and well-wishing business men.
“Many young volunteers of V Care donate 20 per cent of their income towards the orphanage. As an initiative run by a group of young people, we ensure transparency at all levels,” Sandeep Gudi, a businessman himself, explains about the running of V Care.
A recent generous donation of two acres of land at Srirangavaram, near Dundigal, has made the dream a step closer to reality. But given the lack of funds to construct the building, the NGO decided to try out the unconventional method of an online bidding portal. Roping in celebrities like badminton player Chetan Anand, actors Sharwanand, Navdeep and Brahmanandam, articles belonging to them will be put up for auction on the portal and the proceeds will go towards the orphanage.
“We have been talking to many celebrities and have received some favourable responses. The auction will go on until we collect the money required for the construction,” explains Sandeep Gudi.
Setting an example of what a collective social responsibility can achieve, V Care Society seems quite optimistic that their novel idea will help them with their venture.