The organisers of Rickshaw Run have worked with Mercy Corps for a number of years now, and what a great charity to support.
Having been working in India since January 2001, when the agency responded to a devastating earthquake in Gujarat, Mercy Corps today works to build community collaboration and fulfil dire health and economic needs. The Himalayan foothills around Darjeeling are home to some of the world's finest teas - and some of Asia's poorest families.
Programmes include: water and sanitation awareness, and schools and training opportunities, including water infrastructure, school improvements, loans and educational opportunities. For more information, please visit the Mercy Corps website.
Mercy Corps was also a nominee for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
Of course, as conservationists, we also want to help out a wildlife charity. Once we have raised the money necessary for the rickshaw, we hope to support some of India's incredible, and highly threatened, natural treasures. The Wildlife Trust of India uses a wide variety of approaches to help ecosystems and wildlife, including the expertise of a wide range of professionals and working with communities, local government officials and private-sector companies. And, indirectly, protecting the environment can help sustain and improve local livelihoods.
In order to do this we needs to raise a minimum of £3,500. If you'd like to help, everyone's welcome to come along to our events. If you can't make it, or even if you're just feeling generous, money donated through the panel on the right goes directly to Mercy Corps. As a non-UK based charity, a secure online donations system isn't available for the Wildlife Trust of India. Please contact us for details on cheque and bank transfer donations. All methods are safe and secure, and every penny helps!
If you have any queries, fundraising ideas or wish to discuss corporate sponsorship, please contact us
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"We must be the change we wish to see" - Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi