The refugee community unites to help Karunakaran Rasasundran’s family following his tragic death
A small community in Melbourne’s southeast have come together to support a young family following the death of a beloved father of two.
South East
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A tight-knit community in Melbourne’s southeast has come together to support a young family mourning the death of their father.
A GoFundMe campaign for the family of Pakenham man Karunakaran Rasasundran, 39, who died after an extended battle with mental health in early February, has raised more than $6000 in just 10 days.
Mr Rasasundran was a Tamil refugee from Sri Lanka who arrived in Australia in 2013 on a protection visa.
He lived in Sydney for six years before relocating to Pakenham in 2019 to fulfil the visa requirements of living in a regional area for three and a half years.
Mr Rasasundran worked in the recycling industry and was a strong member of the Tamil community in the southeast, but had struggled with his metal health and feelings of isolation from his extended family and support network.
Friend and organiser of the fundraiser Aran Mylvaganam, said this was a sad reality for the refugee community in Australia.
“I’ve worked with refugees and the Tamil community. Whenever tragedies like this happen I try to get involved and support the families,” he said.
“A lot of the time families in this situation don’t get assistance from other groups. In Karunakaran’s family’s case, they weren’t even able to afford the funeral costs for him.”
Mr Mylvaganam said support for the Rasasundran family had gone beyond the Melbourne Tamil community.
“I am truly concerned for their welfare but people are coming forward to support them,” he said.
“And looking at the people who have contributed so far, it’s a lot of refugees who are giving.”
Mr Mylvaganam said for people who want to support Mr Rasasundran’s family, donating through the GoFundMe fundraiser was not the only way to show support.
“His son is just five years old, so if anybody wants to give toys or gifts for the children we are more than happy to take them,” he said.
You can donate to the fundraiser for the Rasasundran here, or to donate toys and other tangible items, you can email Mr Mylvaganam on aran.mylvaganam@gmail.com
gemma.scerri@news.com.au
