INR 3 crore raised by more than 78 NGOs at the 19th edition of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon

Khel Today Bureau

New Delhi: The citizens of Delhi and India came together again to uphold the ‘Spirit of Giving’ and celebrate #AaRangDeDilli at the 19th edition of the world’s prestigious Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. The world’s prestigious half marathon has slowly cemented itself as one of India’s leading philanthropy platforms. The event’s Philanthropy Partner United Way Delhi has consistently strengthened its charitable impact – providing a cause-neutral platform, supporting various Sustainable Development Goals and empowering NGOs.

For this edition, 78+ not-for-profit organizations, more than 80 individual fundraisers, and 12 corporates, alongside thousands of donors, have collectively raised INR 3 crore for charity. This amount is almost two times the funds raised in 2023. Since its inception in 2005, the event has raised INR 81.21 crores, positively impacting millions of lives.
The fundraising is open until October 31st 2024, for more details please log in to vdhm.unitedwaydelhi.org

To date, the overall funds raised by NGOs through direct donations are INR 11.46 lakhs, funds raised by individual fundraisers are INR 52.06 lakhs, corporate contributions amount to INR 2.36 crores, and funds raised using the Charity Bibs are INR 3.54 lakhs.

The platform has gathered support for various social causes, such as Child Development, Education, Health, Livelihood Generation, Organ Transplant, Disability (including children with cerebral palsy), cancer aid, support, and rehabilitation.

Commenting on the association and the philanthropy drive for this edition, *Rina Kaushal, Chairperson of United Way of Delhi, said,* “This year’s philanthropy drive at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon has been an extraordinary collective effort, inspired by our motto, “Cause It Matters.” We are immensely proud of the powerful collaboration between United Way of Delhi and our 78 NGO partners, who rallied together to support critical social development goals across various sectors. We are deeply grateful to our partners, fundraisers, and donors who have supported this mission and contributed to the collective success of our drive”

The event’s title sponsor, Indian conglomerate Vedanta, boosted the event’s philanthropic drive through innovative social impact campaigns that struck a strong chord with the runners in the last two years. Vedanta’s #RunForZeroHunger campaign pledged to provide a nutritious meal for a needy child for every kilometre logged during the race. And this year, the target is 10 million meals through its flagship social impact initiative, Nand Ghar.

“Mass-participation sports have been indelibly linked to promoting social causes since immemorial. It is a humbling experience to witness so many citizens coming together for the greater good. Congratulations to all our fundraisers and United Way Delhi for their stellar efforts in ensuring the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon is a silver lining to the social sector,” said Vivek Singh, Jt. MD, Procam International.
A brief profile of the highest fundraisers and their commitment towards fundraising:

*Young Leaders*
*Jason Joshua Moses raised INR 2,24,294 for Mohan Foundation*
16-year-old Jason, who will be running the Open 10K, has raised INR 2,24,294 to support the Mohan Foundation, supporting a lifesaving mission of organ donation. He believes in giving back to society & supporting the underprivileged. By supporting ‘Anudaan,’ by the Mohan Foundation, he is raising funds to make a difference in helping organ transplantation, especially for children.

Speaking at the Philanthropy Press Conference ahead of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, Jason said, “I am very grateful to the Mohan Foundation for their help in raising funds for organ donation, which is a very expensive surgery. The initiative ‘Anudaan’ which provides organ transplants for underprivileged children, is a step in the right direction for our country as well,”

*Rania Sarker raised INR 1,24,900 for Miracle Foundation India*
Rania Sarker has raised INR 1,24,900 for Miracle Foundation India; she is a senior grade student at The Shri Ram School Moulsari. Her philanthropic journey started in 2023 during an internship with Miracle Foundation India. Inspired by her father’s values of compassion and responsibility, Rania has since participated in multiple initiatives focused on uplifting underprivileged communities. Her dedication to creating positive change drives her fundraising efforts at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. Guided by empathy and a deep commitment to serving others, Rania is determined to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need.

Top Fundraisers
*Deepak Sharma raised INR 16,60,199 for Udayan Care*
Deepak Sharma, a passionate fundraiser & Trustee at Udayan Care has made a significant impact by raising funds for the organization at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon since 2016. Across editions, he has cumulatively raised over INR 1.7 crore for the organization, and he continues his journey in the 2024 edition.

Deepak’s dedication to aftercare programs is evident in his heartfelt conversations. He is associated with Udayan Care in multiple ways and his humility is a testament to the richness that echoes through his dedication to contributing to society.

He believes that individual efforts for social causes are vital to our country’s progress. His motivation to support this cause comes from within, driven by a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfilment.

*Anil Chawla raised INR 5,37,251 for the VIPLA Foundation*
Anil Chawla has been fundraising since 2017, and this year he has raised INR 5,37,251 for the Vipla Foundation. Championing the Vipla Foundation’s mission to educate underprivileged children is close to his heart. A firm believer in education as a catalyst for national growth, Mr. Chawla supports the foundation’s efforts to ensure children reach age-appropriate grade levels and complete their schooling successfully.

Top 3 fundraising NGOs
*Etasha Society raised INR 70,22,452*
Etasha Society, an NGO dedicated to empowering youth through education and skill development, shared their inspiring experiences and motivations for participating in the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon from 2011 to 2012. Their stories shed light on this event’s profound impact on their organization and the communities they serve.

This year, in the 19th edition of VDHM, the Etasha Society has set a new level that inspires us to believe in the power of collective action. The funds they have raised are not just numbers; they are a hope for young hearts to pursue their dreams.

Etasha Society’s Project ‘Fight Berozgaari’ is an initiative to make youth from lesser privileged communities financially self-reliant through sustained employment and income generation. This project will help individuals become financially independent, helping not just them but their families as well. Etasha’s dedication and passion for helping these students find the spark within themselves motivate each one of us.

“The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon is a platform that helps us reach out to individual donors and corporates, build awareness around skill development as well as unemployment. All the engagements via social media and the press, associating the marathon with the Etasha Society, helps a small-time NGO like us,” said Parul Mehra Chief Projects & Corporate Affairs Etasha Society.

*United Way Delhi raised INR 62,60,190*
United Way of Delhi (UWD) is an independent not-for-profit organization affiliated with the United Way Worldwide Family – one of the World’s Largest leaders with 1800 affiliate chapters across 41 countries. United Way Delhi (UWD), since 2008, has been working actively to advance the ‘common good’ for the local community through innovative social impact interventions and partnerships under domains including foundational learning, quality education, healthcare, environment, livelihood, and disaster response.

*Udayan Care raised INR 20,83,058*
Udayan Care is a public charitable trust in Child & Youth Care, Education & Empowerment of Girls, skilled underprivileged Youth & Women, and Advocacy for Alternative Care, Child Rights, and Family Strengthening. Headquartered in New Delhi, it has a presence in 36 cities and 15 states of India. Udayan Care’s vision is “Making Young Lives Shine.” This year, Udayan Care raised funds for their Aftercare Program to support the care leavers in building a brighter, more secure future.

*Genpact Supporting SankalpTaru Foundation and United Way of Delhi contributed INR.63,75,000*
Genpact’s CSR focuses on creating a better planet through sustainable initiatives, supporting environmental programs, and improving access to health, education, and opportunities. Since 2022, Genpact has participated in the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, doubling its contribution annually. Through employee giving and volunteering, Genpact has supported multiple NGOs and underprivileged students, driving meaningful impact across communities.