NEW DELHI: Supporting the Indian ice hockey team to compete at 2015 Challenge Cup of Asia in Kuwait, Red FM RJ Raunac urged the listeners to support the team and created much desired awareness on the cause. The on-air campaign was run in association with Gautam Gambhir Foundation which contributed Rs 4 lakhs to the Ice Hockey Association of India. In a grand event held at South City Mall in Kolkata, Gautam Gambhir, captain, Kolkata Knight Riders along with RJ Raunac and RJ Pravin handed over the cheque to Vedank Singh, Digital Marketing Head, Ice Hockey Association of India.

Very few people know that Indian ice hockey team has been representing India in international ice hockey tournaments since 2009. Despite the huge popularity of ice hockey on global platform it is irony that the national team players are deprived of basic facilities because of lack of funds. In this scenario, the Ice Hockey Association of India decided to take their concern to the people through social media and #supporticehockey became a national trend on Twitter. The online campaign garnered huge support from across the country but still was not able to collect funds for participating in 2015 Challenge Cup of Asia in Kuwait.

India's largest radio network, Red FM came forward and took the cause to support the Indian ice hockey team. RJ Raunac urged Delhi to support ice hockey team by giving a missed call on 7531935935. Among the thousands of followers Indian ice hockey team got a supporter in living Legend and former hockey player Dhanraj Pillai, who not only motivated the Indian ice hockey team with his stories related to the game but also asked listeners for support. Gautam Gambhir foundation came forward to support the cause and raised Rs 4 lakh for the ice hockey team.

On the initiative, Red FM COO Nisha Narayanansaid, “Red FM has always endeavoured to support a national cause. Indian ice hockey team represents India and gives a reason to smile to all the sport enthusiasts in the country. Today they needed our support so we decided to extend our hand to help them to participate in the Red FM created awareness around Indian ice hockey team and received tremendous support from the listeners. It is very encouraging for us to have taken a big leap with this initiative and watching radio turn into an effective medium of communication and awareness which can make a big difference to the society at large."

Gautam Gambhir has been actively involved in social work through his NGO 'Gautam Gambhir Foundation' which works for the betterment of families of the martyrs of armed forces, underprivileged children especially girls and environmental issues.