Getting Fiji’s economy back on track and seeking international help is what’s needed to help the country move forward after the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Winston.

The #StrongerthanWinston Rugby 7s Fundraising Appeal tournament which was organised by the Spain national 7s team, Uprising Beach Resort and supported by Tourism Fiji got the ball rolling last Saturday to send a global message that Fiji is still the number one tourist destination to visit.

Uprising Resort general manager James Pridgeon said Fiji needs all the support it could get.

“We need to get tourists come home to Fiji,” Pridgeon said.

“We need all their support right now, tourism is what drives our Government and our economy and we need that more than anything right now.”

“The fundraising drive was at the #StrongerthanWinston tournament is only the start.

“The aim of the tournament is to create awareness among our international rugby community,” he said.

“Fiji Rugby has given so much to the world over the years and I think it’s only right that in a time of need, for the sake of our country, that the international rugby community come together.

“We are calling on the rugby community of the world that if everyone was to sponsor a dollar today, we would have a million dollars by tomorrow. So that is the message we are trying to get out there.

“This is just the beginning of our fundraising drive; we are going to create social media awareness.

“I have been tweeting to every single international super rugby stars who has more than 30,000 followers like Daniel Carter, Sonny Bill Williams asking them to share the information and share what we are trying to do and get behind Fiji.

“So we hope to see that in the next two to three weeks we hope to see the appeal reach those clubs.”

Pridgeon believes getting the message out there will motivate players and clubs to support the drive behind not only helping those affected by the cyclone but rebuild the country.

The Aubrey Union Club of New South Wales, Australia, through the help of social media, collected AU$1062 (F$1612.54) for the Prime Minister Fundraising Appeal.

While the importance is to get the message out there, Pridgeon also stated that international community’s wishing to help should donate money to the right relief appeal.

“I think it is really important right now that when donating, the international community are aware of where the funds need to go.

Edited by Osea Bola

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