Yes, I am running the Mumbai Marathon this Sunday, 21st Jan, 2007 for the first time and I am not only testing my endurance, but also running for a cause, which many of us believe in: Child Education. I am running the half-marathon (21 Kms) and it is going to be real tough.

Well incase, you wish to run now, you can’t, because the registrations are over!! They say the slots are full. But dont worry, you can still be a part of it, how? Read on.

Dear Friends/Colleagues/Relatives/To-be-inlaws/Ex-Gfs,

I am running for a cause and the cause is to provide education to children in some of the most downtrodden parts of our country. Many NGOs are doing this great work. I am raising money for one such NGO Child Aid Foundation (http://www.childaidfoundation.org/ ) based in Vijaywada. I have no direct connection with them. But looking at their work profile, I thought it was ideal to donate the money to them.

All the money is donated to Child Aid Foundation VIA GiveIndia (http://www.giveindia.org/), a highly reputed NGO, ensuring accountability and transparency. Give India will ensure that all the money we donate is properly used. Infact, all the donors will get a detailed feedback as to where exactly is the money spent. We get to exactly know that on which individuals is the money spent and on providing them which services(may be it books, mid-day meals, teaching or blankets) with a detailed break-up. Thus accountability is ensured.

So, if you believe in the cause that I believe in, come forward and help me build a corpus, which can transform the lives of many in need. Sorry for writing late, but it has to be fast, before 20th Jan, 2007. ( i.e just 4 days). The amount can be anything you wish from Rs. 10 to Rs. 10,000/- . Each of the donors will get individual feedback.

To start up I am contributing Rs. 1000/- (One Thousand) in cash myself. My family members have pledged another Rs. 1000/-

There are several methods to donate:
(You will receive a receipt/confirmation in each of this cases from Give India. Donations are tax deductible in India & US)

1) For those who are in Ahmedabad or Mumbai, I can collect the Cheque favouring “Give India” or Cash from you.

2) For Donating Online, If you are based in US goto: http://www.giveworld.org/pledge.htm

Put in the following details there and follow the steps:
Name: Tapan Shah
Email: tapsboy@gmail.com
Amount($): Whatever you wish

3) For Donating Online, If you are in India, UK, Australia, Canada, NZ, UAE or anywhere else in the world goto: http://www.giveindia.org/give/pledge.jsp

Put in the following details there and follow the steps:
Amount(INR): Whatever you wish
Name: Tapan Shah
Email: tapsboy@gmail.com

Looking Forward towards your valuable contribution.

Your Truely,
Tapan