Mumbai Marathonraises Rs 20.11 crores in charity; crosses the 100 crore mark in funds raised since inception

The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM) keeps breaking records not only while racing against the clock, but even when it comes to raising funds for charity. The event is not only one of the biggest sporting events in India, it is also among the biggest charity event in Asia. This edition of SCMM has already broken all previous charity records with the highest number of donors, donations and participants supporting a cause. SCMM 2014 helped raise Rs 20.11 crores, benefiting 269 NGOs, which also helped the funds raised for charity since the event’s inception in 2004, cross the 100-crore mark. The 11th edition is particularly special as with it the SCMM has cumulatively raised over Rs 109 Crores for charity since its inception.

The charity effort behind the SCMM is spearheaded by United Way of Mumbai, the Official Charity Partner, who create a structured, organized and efficient platform to give while ensuring high levels of credibility and transparency is maintained in the process.

SCMM 2014 saw participation by 269 NGOs who raised a record Rs 20.11 Crores to further their causes and intervention areas. This figures was possible through the support of 171 participating companies and their employees, 1254 fundraisers and 14,742 individual donors.

Right from the inaugural edition, in 2004, the event has advocated the cause of charity, providing a platform for NGOs, corporates and individuals to come together and raise money for causes of their choice. The results, then, were encouraging enough to predict that in the very near future this event would also rank among the top internationally acclaimed marathons that raise sizeable amounts of money for charity.

This response to the charity drive has surpassed the collection of all previous editions, reaffirming that the city of Mumbai and Mumbaikars have a generous heart and a strong social conscience.

The charity figures were announced by Jayanti Shukla, Executive Director, United Way of Mumbai at a special function held to felicitate the fund raisers at the Trident, Nariman Point on Thursday. Gracing the occasion was Shti K Sankaranarayanan, Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra along with Shri J S Sahariya, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra.Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra

In attendance also were Sumeet Singla Regional Head Corporate Affairs, India & South Asia, Standard Chartered, the title sponsor, and Vishal Jhunjhunwala, Head Corporate Brand, Tata Consultancy Services, the Associate Sponsor, besides representatives of the various partners to the event.

“The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon has become the single largest platform for charity funds raising in India. From what started as a dream, over the last decade, the enthusiasm, participation and commitment from all quarters of the society has grown manifold and has enabled the realisation of our vision to create a cornerstone event. Over the last 11 years the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon has helped raise 109 crores, benefitting 350 NGOs. We are confident that the people of Mumbai will keep supporting this event with equal zest and vigour as it moves into its second decade of being a catalyst for social change,” said Sumeet Singla.
"In the past seven years, the involvement of our employees in this unique event have increased manifold as has the positive impact on charitable causes. This is very encouraging as it reinforces TCS' commitment to giving back to the communities in which we operate as well as helps promote a healthy, active lifestyle. We are delighted that this year too Mumbaikars have contributed generously and extended support to worthwhile programmes by participating in The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, which brings this city together in many ways.” said N. Chandrasekaran, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tata Consultancy Services.
As many as 241 NGOs will benefit monetarily from the fundraising effort associated with the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2014, with Shrimad Rajchandra Love & Care emerging the highest fund raising NGO for the fourth year running, having generated Rs 1.59 crores. Save the Children India was a second highest, generating Rs 1.04 crore, while Isha Education was a close third highest, raising Rs 1 Crore.

13-year-old Sumer Punjabi emerged the youngest Dream Teamer, raising Rs 2.52 lacs for Concern India Foundation while 16 year old Meera Mehta was the youngest Dream Champion raising Rs 10 lakh for her NGO, Shrimad Rajchandra Love & Care. The oldest Dream teamer was 83 year old Rumi Taraporevala who raised Rs 11.97 lacs for his NGO, Society for the education of the crippled.

The Corporate Challenge had 265 teams running from across 171 participating companies and who contributed Rs 10.34 crores, amounting to a major chunk of the total funds generated. The highest fund raising company in the Corporate Challenge was Kotak Mahindra Bank who along with their employees raised Rs 37.64 lakhs for the four causes they support- SOPAN, ICMH, CPAA & Kotak Education Foundation. Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co, Ltd was the second highest, generating Rs. 32.31 lacs in support of the War Wounded Foundation, Republican Sports Club and Vasantha Memorial Trust. K V S Manian & Shanti Ekambaram, both from Kotak Mahindra Bank emerged as the two highest individual fundraisers in the corporate challenge category.


In the special Dream Team category which is composed of 3 sub categories of individual fundraisers committing to raise above Rs 1.50 lac. Sadashiv Rao was the highest fund raiser among the Dream Champions, raising Rs 18.07 lacs for Isha Education, followed by Sankara Raman Srinivasan, who raised Rs 17.50 lacs in support of Amar Seva Sangam. Rumi Taraporevala raised the highest amount of Rs 11.97 lacs among the Dream Wizards in support of SEC, while Anisha Johri raised Rs 8.36 lacs in support of Family Service Center. The highest fund raiser in SCMM 2014 was Dream Maker Mrs Ramani Sankara Raman who raised Rs 28.77 lakhs for Amar Seva Sangam.

Speaking on the occasion Jayanti Shukla, Executive Director, United Way of Mumbai said “the SCMM has transcended its sporting nature to become one of the most important philanthropy events in the country and the world. At United Way of Mumbai we have the privilege of been at the crest of this extraordinary platform for giving and been witness to the most remarkable stories of human generosity towards the well being of others lesser privileged. The SCMM is over within a few hours in the morning of a very exciting third Sunday of every January but the life altering impact of the event reverberates in the improved lives of the beneficiaries long after the event.”

“The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon is an incredible sporting platform with a huge social dimension. It has quickly become the country’s largest charity generator and the driving force for a healthier and fitter India,” said Anil Singh, Managing Director of Procam International, the Promoters of the event.