Mumbai: The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, an event that sparked a running revolution in the country, today, goes beyond the realm of sports. While the races at the event, end in a few hours, SCMM leaves behind a legacy each year that is second to none. Over the past 13 years, the event has grown to be India’s largest charity fundraising event. It brings together people from all walks of life – corporates, social workers, doctors, children and persons with disabilities – on a common platform to create lasting community change.

Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon aims at raising more than Rs 30 Crores in Charity for 279 Indian NGOs

In its 14^th edition, the platform has already raised Rs 25 crores supporting  various causes such as Education, Health, Children, Environment, Animal Welfare, Arts Culture & Sports, Disability, Elderly Care, Gender Equality, Livelihood, Social Civic & Community Development and Women’s Empowerment.

The event is promoted by Procam International and the charity platform is designed and facilitated by United Way Mumbai – the  SCMM’s official philanthropy partner. United Way Mumbai reaches out to hundreds of NGOs and companies and thousands of individuals across the country. Those that wish to make their “RUN EXCEPTIONAL” partner with United Way Mumbai and register to run for a cause or fundraise at the SCMM. The funds that they raise are routed to projects across the country through NGOs. The impact created by the run is then carried forward into marginalized communities with the greatest need.

Over the years, the charity figures have risen steadily from Rs 1.4 crores in 2004 to Rs  28.13 crores in 2016. This year, through the 14^th edition of the SCMM, United Way Mumbai, expects the amounts raised for charity to cross well over Rs 30 crores.

Indian film and television actors, Indraneil Sengupta and Barkha Senguptaf from Ra Foundation, Dr. Bijal Mehta, Shrimad Rajchandra Love & Care, Sadashiv Rao, Isha Vidhya, Malini Kohli, Think Foundation, Rupesh Chandrakant Pandhekar, Light of Life Trust, Arav Hak (12 Years Old), Nargis Dutt Memorial Charitable Trust, Jayanti Shukla, Executive Director, United Way of Mumbai, among others was present at the Charity Meet & Greet Session today. These special individuals are raising awareness and funds; and shared their experiences with the media present.

Dilip Jayaram, CEO, Procam International said, “The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon has provided Mumbaikars with a platform to run for fitness and NGO’s of their choice. Today SCMM has grown and developed into an event that goes beyond sports. It encourages and motivates people to give back to society and to essentially be a better person.  We are absolutely delighted that SCMM continues to play a key role in making this possible.”

Jayanti Shukla, CEO, United Way Mumbai said, “The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon highlights the generosity of countless people who want to make a difference. As official philanthropy partners of the SCMM, United Way Mumbai (UWM) has always been driven to help those who work so hard to make lives better for the less fortunate. This time round, our theme for the charity aspect has been “Run Exceptional”, a phrase that showcases the outstanding work done by people who have chosen to make their run about something more than a finish line; they have chosen to make their run Exceptional!” 

SCMM 2017 at a glance

Stories of Change

NGOs in focus:

Shrimad Rajchandra Love & Care shows the most tremendous drive and effort at the SCMM. Led completely by volunteers, SRL&C sets fundraising targets for volunteers based on the needs of the local community. They have been the highest fundraising NGO at the SCMM over the past 7 years.

This year, they are celebrating the 150^th birth anniversary of their spiritual leader who passed away at the age of 34 years by bringing together 150 fundraisers and setting a target of Rs 3.4 crores. The funds will be used to build a hospital in his name in Dharampur, Gujarat. They have the highest number of Change Runners and Young Leaders (they have 68 Young Leaders, the youngest being 2 years of age!) They are also the only NGO to get a perfect 15/15 on the NGO privileges criteria that United Way Mumbai had set up.

Exceptional Individual: Dr Bijal Mehta, trustee of Shrimad Rajchandra Love & Care is a doctor and recognizes the need for quality healthcare for the marginalized. She aims to raise Rs 10,00,000 to help support funding of the hospital for the underprivileged in Dharampur, Gujarat.

Light of Life Trust works towards realizing the untapped potential of India’s rural communities and empowering them through education and community development.

Exceptional Individual: Rupesh Chandrakant Pandhekar lives in a small village, 4 kms from Karjat city and is currently in S.Y. B.Com. Aged 8, he lost his father to cancer, leading his mother to work at a plant nursery for a meagre salary to support his brother and him. Just as Rupesh planned to drop out of school to start earning and support his family, Light of Life Trust intervened and helped him complete his secondary education. He is now a qualified electrician, pursuing his graduation. He has participated in SCMM 2016, running the Half Marathon in 2h38m and will be participating in SCMM 2017 as well, running for the Light of Life Trust. He says, “It’s really a great opportunity for me to participate in the Mumbai Marathon, especially under the banner of Light of Life Trust, so that I can spread the vision of my organization to the whole country”. 

Change Runners in focus:

Malini, Isha & Saanya for Think Foundation:

Think Foundation works to bring normalcy and happiness in the lives of persons living with Thalassaemia Major (a serious genetic blood disorder). The Foundation also runs programmes aimed at prevention of the disorder.

Having lived through the loss of two family members to Thalassaemia Major, Malini Kohli and her sisters, Isha and Saanya, realized that it would be an extremely difficult life for those who were unable to afford the medical costs that the condition demands. Malini, Isha and Saanya are raising funds for Think Foundation’s programme to support Thalassaemic children from low-income families who cannot afford the intensive medical care.

Sadashiv Rao for Isha Education:

Isha Education aims to provide high quality school education to rural children who cannot otherwise access or afford it. The holistic, activity-based approach nurtures children’s development beyond just academics, ensuring that students realize their full potential and learn in a joyful manner.

Sadashiv Rao has been a volunteer with Isha Education for the past 8 years and has witnessed the amazing transformation of the children there. The funds that he raises will be utilized for scholarships for the students of Isha Education schools, as well as infrastructure development in the schools. Mr. Rao has raised over Rs 27.8 lakhs to help transform the lives of rural children through affordable, high quality education.

Young Leaders in focus:

Young Leaders are remarkable young people (below 21 years of age) who are raising funds for charity through the SCMM platform. They are sensitized to social issues, passionate about the projects they support and great ambassadors for a more socially conscious generation.

This year, Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care (68 Young Leaders), Light of Life Trust (48 Young Leaders) and Habitat for Humanity (26 Young Leaders), are NGOs for which a total of 142 young leaders have chosen to run raising a minimum of Rs 50,000 each.

Arav Hak for Nargis Dutt Charitable Trust:

Nargis Dutt Charitable Trust works in the areas of health, education and rural development. The funds raised through SCMM 2017 will go towards supporting the journey of children, be it education or cancer.

Arav Hak, at the tender age of 11, is one such exceptional Young Leader and is supporting the Nargis Dutt Charitable Trust. Through the NGO, he had the opportunity to interact with children suffering from cancer at a young age. Arav is raising funds to help these children in their battle against cancer, since they themselves cannot afford the treatment. He has raised over Rs 10 Lakhs so far!

United Way Mumbai (UWM) is a premier non-profit organization that endeavours to leverage corporate, employee and leadership talent for community development. Through corporate gifts and employee giving campaigns, UWM seeks to successfully engage the corporate sector into meaningful social responsibility structures bringing about a positive and lasting change in communities. UWM is part of the 130 year old United Way worldwide movement of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 41 countries and territories. The United Way movement mobilizes millions to Give, Advocate and Volunteer to improve conditions in their communities. UWM, in its role as the charity partner brings together charities, corporates and individuals through a credible platform for giving. Each participating NGO undergoes a background due diligence process.

For more details or to contact the above, please contact Swati R – Phone: +91-22-24937676, Ext. 248 Email: swati@unitedwaymumbai.org. For the latest figures, you can also visit our website – www.unitedwaymumbai.org/scmm

Tags: Charity, Marathon, Mumbai Marathon, NGOs, Procam International, Running, SCMM, SCMM 2017, Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon