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Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez raising relief funds after Mexico earthquake

West Ham striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez has started an online fundraising campaign to aid relief efforts in his native Mexico following this week's earthquake.

More than 200 people have died from the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that affected Mexico City and surrounding states on Tuesday.

Mexican clubs are helping the cause and Hernandez wants to do his part.

The Mexico international wrote on Instagram: "It's time to help and I would like to announce the initiative @YoXMex. Only together can we move forward. Please donate here https://www.youcaring.com/yoxmex.

"People around the world, I would ask you to help the people of my country. We need a lot of help after what happened. You can donate in the link in my bio. Thank you all!"

West Ham also announced on Thursday that they will help raise money for the victims by auctioning all match-worn shirts from this weekend's London derby against Tottenham Hotspur and then matching all the donations.

Other players from Mexico based in Europe are active in helping victims of the earthquake, including Miguel Layun and Andres Guardado.

"I have a foundation back in Mexico and I've been trying to coordinate from here how to get food and all the possible help to where it's needed," Real Betis midfielder Guardado told Onda Cero. "Fortunately, my family was not affected by it. But I have friends, colleagues and national teammates that have been affected."

Tuesday's earthquake was the second to hit Mexico in the space of several days. The country was already reeling from one that had hit the southern states of Oaxaca and Chiapas last week.

"These are very hard times right now for my countrymen and those that love Mexico," Guardado said. "We hope to come out of this situation soon."

Guardado featured in Betis' 1-0 win at Real Madrid on Wednesday -- a victory he called an "anesthetic" for him after the earthquake.

"This result is a little bit of an anesthetic for my head and my heart following the earthquake," the 30-year-old said. "I'm not going to lie, it was hard to fully focus on the game. But one is professional and you get on with it. Fortunately the game went well and we got an important win."

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