The TCS World 10K Bengaluru has yet again been recognized as one of the largest charity raising platforms in South India with over Rs 4 crore being pledged to more than 100 Civil Society Organizations (CSO)/ NGOs. The last eight editions have directly impacted the lives of over 75,000 individuals and facilitated over 12 causes such as Education, Environment, Disability, Human Rights, Women, Environment & Animals amongst others.
With thirty-seven corporates fielding fifty-four teams and 200+ fundraisers running for a cause, this year over 75% of the contribution is from individuals raising funds through their personal networks, a definite sign of the commitment that the city has towards the run to be held on May 15. Amongst the many laurels of this year’s fundraising accomplishments, one is that a single CSO has raised a whopping Rs 60 lakh as of today.
Commenting on the fundraising efforts of the city, India Cares Foundation chairperson Murray Culshaw said: “The citizens of Bengaluru are becoming increasingly aware of the challenges facing our city and of society in general and the need to find solutions. The TCS World 10K provides a great transparent and accountable platform for causes to promote their services and for citizens to engage with solutions – by running and donating to a cause of their choice.”
Procam International CEO Dilip Jayaram added: “Our events have always been strong fundraising platforms, and Bengaluru proves each year that their commitment towards running for a cause is unparalleled. CSOs today make friends amongst runners first, increase their awareness levels and a resultant of which is the increase in funds. This leap in race week of Rs 1 crore has been the highest since the events inception in 2008 and is an indicator of how more runners are pounding the streets and believing in their causes. Bengaluru should be proud of the contributions they are making towards their communities. We at Procam are glad to have a strong and grounded philanthropy partner in India Cares, who are going that extra mile to make a difference.”
This year’s youngest fundraiser, 10-year-old Aum Desai is joined by his Grandmother Mrs Pramila Desai, who at 76 is the oldest fundraiser at the TCS World 10K. Both are running hard towards raising funds for Shrimad, an NGO dedicated to the education of the child.
Joining the Desai duo is the pair of young men, Senthil S and Sakthivel from Sittilingi, Dharampur District in Tamil Nadu. They are fundraising for Tribal Health Initiative that provides healthcare facilities to the indigenous tribes along the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu border. Senthil and Sakthivel are also the members of indigenous communities and have been running long distance for quite some time now to raise money towards their cause.
Vidya from Baale Mane is another notable name. Having grown up under foster care in Baale Mane, Vidya is hoping that her fundraising effort this year will a perfect farewell as she eyes pursuing her Bachelor degree in Commerce.
Leaving corporate desk jobs and running and fundraising this year, amongst others, are Arvind Srivatsav Vijayagopalan, Business Analyst at Oracle Financial Services Software, Bengaluru and Rajkumar TE, Leader of Global Shared Services at TE Connectivity. Arvind, who has over the last four years been an active participant in the green initiatives of SayTrees, is raising funds through the TCS platform to assist farmers by providing them with sustainable income opportunities to continue farming, while discouraging them from migrating to non-agricultural jobs. Mr Rajkumar has encouraged the TE Connectivity group to contribute Rs 10,00,000 for Project EduDaan, an initiative to support government school children.
Joining the corporate runners, in a first-of-its-kind story at the TCS W10K, is discount brokering firm Zerodha, fielding a Corporate Cares team raising money for the benefit of ‘Let’s live together’, an NGO that works with street dogs in the city.
