West Highland Walkabout
James Tulloch is raising money for Scottish Love In Action
Story
Welcome to my West Highland Walkabout, a fundraising drive for Scottish Love in Action (SLA), an Edinburgh-based charity that supports an orphanage/school in Tuni, India, that cares for 350 'untouchable' or 'Dalit' children.
Sadly, destitute Dalit kids keep arriving in Tuni (equalling one quarter of India's population, untouchables outnumber the populations of Britain, France and Germany combined).
After the tsunami, SLA expects an especially busy year. And so, from June, I will spend 4-6 months volunteering in Tuni, mostly helping the children learn English, a critical skill if they are to progress in India.
But first, from May 15 to May 21, I will walk/stagger/crawl 95 miles through Scotland's countryside, from Glasgow to Fort William. As my darling sister helpfully points out, that's a half marathon, every day, for a week. With a pack. Cheers sis!
And so, those of you familiar with my normal fitness regime, please pick yourself up off the floor, return to your seat, and please, please spur me on through wind, rain and habitual sloth by sponsoring me and SLA's inspirational work (please read on....) Dalits face racism every day from 'upper caste' society. They are routinely denied equal access to land, water, jobs, education, medical treatment: Even tsunami relief aid. SLA has recently focused on medical treatment for children like Salmon Raj, a 14-year old polio victim who has never been able to walk or stand, and gets around on all fours. When I was Salmon Raj's age I knew I might never walk again. I had just broken my back and the prognosis was dire. Fortunately, I had access to modern medicine and treatment, and I recovered. Salmon Raj, as a Dalit child, had no such access. But thanks to SLA he now has a chance of corrective surgery that should enable him to walk for the very first time. I hope that by walking the West Highland Way I can, with your help, get Salmon Raj walking too. You can either make a lump-sum donation or pledge a certain amount per mile. For example, 50p a mile would equal £47.50, enough to support one Dalit child for five months! And remember, UK taxpayers, one donation of £20 generates £5 in gift aid. If 100 of you do that, I'll make my target! So go on, dig deep, please sponsor me now, and pass this appeal on to any friends or family who might be able to help. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Scottish Love In Action will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. And please check out SLA's work on the website at http://www.sla-india.org/ Thank you everybody, I really appreciate your generosity. All the best James Tulloch
Sadly, destitute Dalit kids keep arriving in Tuni (equalling one quarter of India's population, untouchables outnumber the populations of Britain, France and Germany combined).
After the tsunami, SLA expects an especially busy year. And so, from June, I will spend 4-6 months volunteering in Tuni, mostly helping the children learn English, a critical skill if they are to progress in India.
But first, from May 15 to May 21, I will walk/stagger/crawl 95 miles through Scotland's countryside, from Glasgow to Fort William. As my darling sister helpfully points out, that's a half marathon, every day, for a week. With a pack. Cheers sis!
And so, those of you familiar with my normal fitness regime, please pick yourself up off the floor, return to your seat, and please, please spur me on through wind, rain and habitual sloth by sponsoring me and SLA's inspirational work (please read on....) Dalits face racism every day from 'upper caste' society. They are routinely denied equal access to land, water, jobs, education, medical treatment: Even tsunami relief aid. SLA has recently focused on medical treatment for children like Salmon Raj, a 14-year old polio victim who has never been able to walk or stand, and gets around on all fours. When I was Salmon Raj's age I knew I might never walk again. I had just broken my back and the prognosis was dire. Fortunately, I had access to modern medicine and treatment, and I recovered. Salmon Raj, as a Dalit child, had no such access. But thanks to SLA he now has a chance of corrective surgery that should enable him to walk for the very first time. I hope that by walking the West Highland Way I can, with your help, get Salmon Raj walking too. You can either make a lump-sum donation or pledge a certain amount per mile. For example, 50p a mile would equal £47.50, enough to support one Dalit child for five months! And remember, UK taxpayers, one donation of £20 generates £5 in gift aid. If 100 of you do that, I'll make my target! So go on, dig deep, please sponsor me now, and pass this appeal on to any friends or family who might be able to help. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Scottish Love In Action will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. And please check out SLA's work on the website at http://www.sla-india.org/ Thank you everybody, I really appreciate your generosity. All the best James Tulloch