When Ridhima Tandon started her online fundraising, her target was $5,000. By Monday, the amount had already surpassed $7,500 with 110 donors opening their hearts and wallets for a cause close to her heart.
Having met that target for funds, Ridhima shaved her head on Sunday and elected to donate her 73-centimetre long hair to make wigs for children with alopecia.
“I have always been known as the girl with long, dark hair and I felt if I could raise money for such important causes, I don’t mind parting with my hair,” she told SBS Punjabi.
“Losing my hair was a bit of a shock, but I am doing it for a good cause.. so, it’s ok,” she said.
The 21-year-old Psychology student lost a very dear friend to domestic violence at the hands of her own husband. Her friend, 23-year-old in a crime that shook Melbourne’s Indian community.
Since then, Ridhima has been associated with Domestic Violence Victoria.
Ridhima Tondon Source: Supplied
“It’s only after Niki’s death that I got to know about all the things happening in Australia and I didn’t realise it was that much and unfortunately they don’t realise how bad it is until it happens to them,” she said.
She says the government isn’t doing enough to deal with the issue of domestic violence.
“It was very hard going through that [Nikita’s death] and seeing how the government is not doing very much about domestic violence.. it’s not in anyone’s favour right now."
“Domestic Violence Victoria works for the government to make some policies and to make it better for the survivors and their families,” she said.
Ridhima says there needs to be more awareness about domestic violence among the communities.
“There should be harsher charges against the perpetrators to deter them from committing the acts. And also a lot of people don’t realise little things they consider a way of life need to change. I think there’s that change needed and just a bit of awareness,” says Ridhima.
“We want to eradicate domestic violence because it can definitely be eradicated.”
Her current campaign is also to support the National Stem cell Foundation of Australia.
