A Walk to remember

On Gandhi Jayanti,October 2,people in all three cities will take a simultaneous walk along pre-decided trails in the city to raise awareness and funds for their chosen social causes. Those registering for the event have to donate Rs 2000 each but they can choose which cause and even which NGO the money goes to from the list of partner NGOs online. These organisations support rural education,child welfare,women empowerment,environment protection and a myriad of other causes. “If a runner prefers to donate to an NGO that isn’t listed with us,they can do that too,provided the NGO is a registered organization. This way everyone gets to choose where their donation goes and who it helps,” says Suhasini Kirloskar,one of the organisers in Pune.

The trail in Pune will take the walkers from Ishanya Mall towards the Symbiosis campus in Viman Nagar,to the airport and then back in a loop. Donors can choose between a 5km trail or the full 10 km route and can also choose to either walk or run. But is walking necessary for anyone who wants to contribute to the event? “When we get such enquiries,we try to explain that Footsteps4Good is not juts about raising funds. When hundreds of people will march through the city,it will raise awareness and interest in all those issues that they are supporting. Sometimes that is more important than anything,” says social activist Monika Trivedi,who is also one of the event’s organisers. In a novel compromise,donors can now choose to skip the walk and donate instead,as long as they can find another person to replace them in the actual walk. If this is difficult,the NGO they choose to support may also find a substitute walker for them.

“In the last few days,interest in the event has picked up and we already have over 150 registrations now and more are pouring in,” says Kirloskar. “It’s all very transparent at Footsteps4Good. All the expenses are covered by sponsors such as Thermax,Ishanya,Forbes Marshall and others and so the proceeds go directly to the NGOs,” she added. This year,the organisers hope to see at least 500 people participate in Pune. Participants also stand to win prizes and vouchers at the event,all which have been sponsored by Gold’s gym.

(The walk will flag off from Ishanya Mall at 7.30 am on October 2)