Raising critical funds for Covid-19 stricken India

Liz Jackson, Sales and Marketing Director, BCMS, writes: BCMS supports and runs St Mark’s School and orphanage in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India, where we educate and look after over 500 children from the lowest tier of Indian society. Sadly, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a terrible impact on the region and many of the children and staff at the school have been affected.

As part of the BCMS management team, I get regular updates on what’s happening at St Mark’s, and over the past few weeks, the news from India has become more and more distressing. Apart from the challenges of sickness, the cost of food and essential items has rocketed, making caring for the children extremely difficult. Of course, BCMS is doing all it can to help, but I couldn’t stand by and do nothing, so I set up a GoFundMe page and set myself the challenge of walking 25k over five days, starting on the 10th of May.

This may not sound very challenging, until I tell you that I went totally blind in my twenties and will be doing this challenge using my white cane, which I have only just started to learn how to use. In fact, I have only had two training sessions! As a result, navigating 25k will definitely be difficult!

I went totally blind in my twenties and will be doing this challenge using my white cane, which I have only just started to learn how to use

Not only will this be a mental challenge, but my white cane with a ball on the end is fairly heavy, so gripping and holding it with an outstretched arm, for 25k over five days, will also be a physical challenge.

Encouragingly, I launched my challenge on the 26 April 2021 and raised over £2,000 in the first two days! This is fantastic, and I am so thankful to those who have already donated. However, I want to raise as much money as possible, so I’m asking you to consider helping me to help the children and staff at St Mark’s by donating anything you can.

I know the pandemic has been difficult for us all, in so many different ways, but the poverty our much-loved friends are facing in India is beyond the comprehension of us in the Western world. Any money you can give will make a real difference to those in dire need.

I would be deeply grateful if you could please sponsor me through my GoFundMe page – every penny counts.

Thank you.