In less than a week, Delhi will see more than 32,000 runners from pan India running the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon (ADHM) — Capital's one of the most awaited annual sporting events.
Wayne Andrady, a 15-year-old student of Mount St. Mary's class 10th, is the youngest of the individual runner who has dedicated his own personal time and efforts raising huge amount.
Wayne is greatly influenced by his mother who is also associated with an NGO working for weaker and neglected section of the society where they help educate rural women and their families to have basic employment skills for better future.
Wayne, who aspires to be an engineer, has been running ever since he entered his teen years. He is passionate about running marathons and also likes to play Cricket, football, lawn tennis and Basketball.
Asked about his mother's influence on him, the Wayne said, "She told me that if I win, I can help the neglected section of our society. I have been seeing that my mother's NGO have done a lot of good things in the past. like they keep helping people and sometimes they go out of the way to help them.”
“I feel that if I run, it would be my small contribution to help them. It's just a start. last to last year I was about to run but unfortunately I fell sick, but this time I am prepared and have also raised a good amount of money and I am very excited about it.
“My friends Jonathan and Matthews are running with me in this marathon,” he added.
Talking about how youth can contribute and come forward for this cause he replied, "Youth is the future of this country, everyone knows that. And if everyone starts putting even their slightest effort and come forward to such initiatives, it can make a huge difference," he said on the sidelines of an even organised by India Cares Foundation.
This year ADHM has already raised Rs3.5 crores and still counting for Charity. A total of 95 NGO'S are participating in the 7th edition of this marathon as compared to 27 in the first edition.
If I can do it, anyone can: Tamana Chona
Tamana Chona, who recently won Dr. Batra's Positive Health Award, is another individual who is participating in this Marathon for her NGO also named Tamana, which provides holistic rehabilitations program to the people with special needs.
Chona himself is suffereing from cerebral palsy. Despite her disability, she is closely associated with the NGO and help in the best way she can. Today, she is a teacher at the DPS Infant school, Vasant Vihar. The NGO was started by her parents. She is an inspiration for people like her. Besides teaching and contributing for the NGO, she is also learning Spanish, does yoga regularly, plays lawn tennis and takes dance lessons.
"I am running this marathon for my school Tamana, but it was also my dream to run in this marathon. Even my mother is running with me. I know I’m going to have a lot of fun and I’m very excited about it. It’ll be my first time here.
"As a young child, I had numerous problems that I had to deal with it every day. But I fought those challenges and overcame it. Through support of my parents, friends and everyone else I’ve a come a long way. If I can do it, anyone can," she concluded.