Across the world, long distance running events present themselves as leading avenues to help raise funds benefiting various causes and innumerable individuals year after year. The movement has proved true in India too, where Procam International promoted distance-running events have emerged the largest and most respected charity raising platforms in the cities in which they are conducted. The TCS World 10K Bangalore, in the last six editions, has seen the citizens of Bangalore responding in champion fashion to the charity drive associated with the event.
Thus far, the run has helped raise much needed funds of over Rs. 14 crore in seven years, becoming the single largest platform raising charity in Bangalore.
In its seventh edition, there are early indications that the figures raised will exceed what has been collected in all previous years, with INR 3.25 crore already accounted for, benefiting more than 75 NGOs. The 2014 edition will witness 43 corporates with 53 teams, over 350 charity fundraisers and more than 7500 donors.
This was announced by Murray Culshaw, Chairman Bangalore Cares, the official Charity Partner of the TCS World 10K Bangalore 2014, along with Dilip Jayram, CEO, Procam International.
Also present at the Press Conference were individuals who have worked tirelessly to raise money for charity and shared they inspiring stories with audiences. These included 14-year-old Nimit Bataviya the youngest fund raiser, Chip Kingery, Founder of proVISION Asia, Nina Nayak, Social worker and a Care Champion Gold, Muniswamy S, a wheelchair bound Care Champion, and Hemanshu Desai, CEO, New India Electricals.
Speaking on the occasion Muniswamy S, a wheelchair bound Care Champion, said, “I work for proVISION Asia’s Mithra Special Needs School and other projects where I am an Ability Connection Coordinator. I have been raising funds to support children with Mental Retardation and Cerebral Palsy (MR&CP) from special schools. This is my third year of raising funds. I was able to raise INR 10,000 the first year and 50,000, the second. I am extremely happy to announce that this year I have raise above INR 100,000 and can’t wait to help provide better value to the children.”
Nimit Bataviya, the youngest fundraiser, said, “I cannot see people in pain and turn a blind eye, so I first called my parents, friends and relatives and urged them to donate whatever little they could to start off with. Afterwards a few friends and I sold chocolates and old newspapers to be able to raise the best we could to give back to society. I dream of a happy society and in the words of W.B. Yeats, in dreams begin responsibilities.”
Murray Culshaw, Chairman Bangalore Cares, said, “It is not easy to raise funds, even if it is a cause you believe in whole heartedly. It is large-hearted companies such as Procam International and kindhearted people who make marathons happen that enable NGOs to support people who need our nurturing. I am extremely happy to say that this year we have already collected INR 3.25 crore and the figure is expected to rise to INR 4 crore by the end of the TCS World 10K Bangalore 2014. There are very few organizations that NGOs can go to with their issues, and we at Bangalore Cares vouch to be that aid for NGOs for as long as we can.”
The CEO Dash, which is also part of the charity, has received participation from over 10 corporate honchos from companies who have fielded their teams in the Corporate Care.
Bangalore Cares has been associated with the TCS World 10K Bangalore since inception and is working persistently to encourage individuals and reach out to more and more NGOs to ensure increased participation for the betterment of society. Each year, they have witnessed a positive change in the mindset of people not only in Bangalore but from across the country who are coming forward to support various causes and run for a reason.
This year too, individual fundraising is leading the way with an increased number of individuals taking up the challenge of fundraising for an NGO they care about.
The involvement of Corporate Bangalore has also increased substantially from last year. The charity-raising module is facilitated, coordinated and monitored by Bangalore Cares. NGOs who raise funds through the event give a utilization report for the funds raised.
