He owns a tempo to transport goods from one place to another. He is a driver by profession. He has a small earning, but 30-year old R. Thiruvenkadam has a big heart. Taking a break from his routine pick-up and drop, he is using his tempo – free of cost – to collect relief material from homes to be sent to Chennai and Cuddalore.

“I am saddened by watching how people in the flood hit regions are suffering. I wanted to do something for them. One of my friends approached me to collect relief material from kind donors in and around the city for the flood hit victims. I offered to do so, using my tempo. I am very satisfied being able to help in my own small way,” Thiruvenkadam says.

His number was shared in various WhatsApp groups and as soon as the news spread that he offered to pick up relief materiel from door steps, calls kept pouring in.

Yesterday (Friday) was day one and Thiruvenkadam received 15 calls from good Samaritans. He went from door-to-door to collect relief material in the form of general medicines, clothes, bakery items, water bottles, apparels for kids, women and men, and cooking essentials. He is being assisted by four of his friends who help in segregating and re-packing what Thiruvenkadam collects.

Yesterday alone he filled diesel in his Tata Ace vehicle and visited homes and offices that are located in R.S. Puram, Sai Baba Colony, Gandhi Park, Vadavalli and Ganapathy. Thiruvenkadam tells us that he will continue to visit residents and commercial establishments in the city to collect relief material until Monday depending on the number of requests he receives.

On asked how much he has spent from his pocket for this exercise, Thiruvenkadam is unprepared to disclose the amount.

“The first load of relief material will be packed and sent to Sulur Air Force Station this evening. This aid will be sent to flood hit victims of Cuddalore district,” Thiruvenkadam says.

Those interested in making a contribution can contact Thiruvenkadam at 98942-02480 and have relief materiel picked up.