10K Run raises Rs.3 crore for charity

The TCS World 10K has raised over Rs.3 crore which is being pledged to more than 80 NGOs a week prior to the run from citizens in the city and globally.

The TCS World 10K Bengaluru, in the last four editions, has directly impacted lives of over 62,000 individuals and over 10 causes such as education, environment, disability, human rights, and protection of wildlife amongst others, according to a press release from promoters Procam International, here on Tuesday.

India Cares chairman Murray Culshaw said: "We have 38 corporates sporting 48 teams and over 200 charity fundraisers and more than 6000 donors running for a cause on a Bangalore summer day and we are delighted at the participation and enthusiasm the city has shown towards supporting a cause."

Commenting on the pledged amounts, Vivek Singh, joint managing director, Procam International said: "Our runs have always been strong fundraising platforms and we are glad that even more people are stepping out of their homes for the run and donating to a cause while at it.

"We will continue to provide platforms that will allow citizens to contribute to their communities, making each of these runs even more meaningful."

The youngest fundraiser this year is 13-year-old Sidhdhant Desai from Vidya Niketan and he is raising money for Gujarat-based NGO 'Shrimad Rajachandra Love and Care, while 19-year old Catherine of Christ College who along with two friends have formed a Youth Cares Team to raise Rs.50,000 for U & I Trust.

Bangalore Schools Sports Foundation (BSSF) 'Champion in Me', a customized sport-based initiative conceptualized by Elvis Joseph to develop and empower children and youth living with HIV/AIDS, will also field their runners and help raise money for their cause.

India's only double-amputee runner, 19-year old Madhusudan Hanumanthappa, also representing the BSSF, will be running for charity on customized prosthetic legs on Race Day in the 4 Kms Champions with Disability run.

Hoskote's Babu Seenappa will also be running for BSSF in a different category. An HIV-positive teenager, Babu will be seen exhibiting his athletic best, running the Majja Run on May 17.