Akshaya says she donated money because many children have suffered in the floods. "I am sure someone will help me. Right now, Kerala needs the help."

Moved by the havoc unleashed due to floods in Kerala that have killed more than 400 people and destroyed property worth thousands of crore, a 12-year-old girl from Karur district in Tamil Nadu has donated a part of the money she had painstakingly collected for her heart operation through crowdfunding for the fllod victims.

Akshaya says she closely followed the catastrophic situation in Kerala on TV and was deeply worried by the people's suffering. She saw many of them being displaced from their homes and forced to live without food and water for days.

"Many children like me have suffered in the floods. So I decided to help them by donating a portion of the money I had collected for my surgery. I am sure someone will help me. Right now, Kerala is in dire need of help," she said.

Her mother Jothimani, took up the matter with A Sadiq Ali, a well-wisher who mobilised funds for her surgery. Ali had got in touch with the family last year after he heard about Akshaya's medical condition through social media.

On Tuesday, Akshaya along with her mother and Sadiq Ali, handed over Rs 5,000 to an office-bearer of Makkal Padhai, a volunteer organisation engaged in collecting relief materials for Kerala.

A Class 7 student, Akshaya suffers from a congenital heart disease. Well-wishers and friends have been trying to mobilise money through crowdfunding. The family's financial condition is weak and can't afford the costly surgery.

Akshaya's first surgery was performed successfully last year and the second is slated for November this year. While she requires Rs 2.5 lakh for the surgery, funds worth Rs 20,000 have been collected so far. Of which she has donated Rs 5,000 for victims of Kerala floods.

Her father died in an accident some years ago, following which the family's financial condition worsened. Her mother is a temporary worker at an anganwadi centre. The income isn't strong enough to meets the family's needs. In this backdrop, managing funds for her second surgery in November is an uphill task.

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