The joy of running for a cause

Director’s Cut – The Joy of Running for a Cause  The first time a Marathon came to India was in January 2004, Mumbai. I didn’t get a chance to participate but I did manage to watch as the event unfolded. Over 20,000 people from all walks of life ran and many for a cause. On that Sunday morning, as a bystander, I realized the power of this event to raise immense amount of support and funding for charities across India. I came away determined to come back next year with the Dream Team. This was the beginning of Dream A Dream’s passion for using running events to engage its children, volunteers and donors.

By January 2010, Dream A Dream had already participated in over 17 running events across the world through its volunteers and supporters. The Mumbai Marathon, London 10K and now the prestigious Sunfeast World 10K have become part of the Annual Calendar at Dream A Dream to engage its volunteers and raise substantial and very important funds for the organization.  Personally, I have got tremendous joy in running for Dream A Dream. This is one event where I have reached out to my family, friends, acquaintances and networks to come out and actively support my run and Dream A Dream. The most beautiful part is that no one has ever said NO and year-on-year I have just been overjoyed and humbled with the kind of support I have received.

In 2008, I had set myself a target to raise Rs. 5,00,000 for Dream A Dream and ran the Half Marathon in Mumbai. I was overwhelmed to see that people donated anything from Rs. 100 and Rs. 100,000 and I managed to raise over Rs. 6,25,000. As I put on my shoes that lovely Sunday morning, I was brimming with the confidence of a new-born and the only reason I was able to complete 21km without practice was because of the belief, support and responses of hundreds of people who came forward to support me.  Running has not yet become part of my daily routine but every time I put on my running shoes for a running event, I am humbled by the sheer commitment of people to support causes and come in thousands to say “they care”.  This year too, over 150 people have signed up to “Run for a Dream” and show their solidarity to the cause of children. I hope to see a lot of you join me in my run for Dream A Dream this year too and if you are unable to run with me, do lighten your pocket and make a very important and much needed contribution to Dream A Dream.

Here is how, As an Indian passport holders and Indian tax-payers you could can make a donation by drawing a cheque in favour of "Dream A Dream" and send it to our office address. Please ensure that you attach a cover note to the cheque stating your Full Name, Email, Phone, and Full Postal Address to help us issue and send across a receipt to you. 

All Indian donors are eligible to receive 50% tax exemption under section 80G of the Income Tax rules.

1. If you wish to make a bank transfer to Dream A Dream, kindly get in touch with Dream A Dream at info@dreamadream.org

1. Online donations can be made at http://www.giveindia.org/m-5-dream-a-dream.aspx 

2. All international donors can make a donation to Dream A Dream through Ammado      at http://www.ammado.com/nonprofit/dream-a-dream 

3. UK Tax Payers can make a donation to Dream A Dream through Futuresense Foundation at http://www.justgiving.com/SupportingChildrenInBangalore/.

Future sense Foundation is able to claim 25% Gift Aid from the UK Government for your donation. We need you to let us know that Gift Aid applies to your donation when making the online donation. “I’m in it for me. I’m in it for them”  Thank you, With Dreams, Vishal Talreja Co-founder & Director | Ashoka Fellow Dream A Dream.