Good response for 10K run charity drive

The charity drive associated with the TCS World 10K Bangalore 2013, to be run Sunday, has already collected Rs.3.25 crore, and the amount is expected to increase significantly in the coming days and the days that follow the race, according to 'Bangalore Cares', the official charity partner to the event.

Speaking at a media interaction here Monday, Murray Culshaw, chairperson of 'Bangalore Cares', said the TCS World 10K Bangalore, over the years, has seen the citizens of Bangalore responding in champion fashion to the charity drive associated with the event, helping raise over Rs 8 crore in five years.

This year, there are early indications that the figures raised for charity will exceed the collection of all previous years, benefiting over 75 NGOs. The event this year will also see 34 corporates with 41 teams, over 300 charity fund raisers and above 6000 donors.

Also present on the occasion was Vivek B Singh, joint MD of Procam International, promoters of the event, along with Nagaraj Ijari, VP and Head Bangalore Operations, Tata Consultancy Services actress, model Shubra Aiyappa, former India hockey captain Jude Felix and Manasi Prasad, director of Centre for Indian Music Experience.

Ijari said: "One of the key factors that makes TCS World 10K Bangalore a special event is the community and charity aspect that it espouses. Over the years, the number of participants has increased and the reason is not only fitness but also to create awareness and raise funds for the various NGOs that are part of the run."

Shubhra Aiyappa said: "I feel that sports and events like TCS World 10K Bangalore can play a big role in helping us change the lives of people with special needs. I am proud to be associated with this event and I am certain that this event will be a great success."

Felix said: "To integrate the sport of running and create a platform to raise funds for the under privileged through this world class event, TCS World 10K is a total winner with the society at large."