Bengaluru Hosts Record-Breaking Run for Children with HIV Awareness
Bengaluru witnessed an inspiring Sunday morning as the city hosted the Footprints 2025 charity run to raise awareness about the challenges faced by children living with HIV. The event, organized by the Rishi Foundation, saw unprecedented participation just one day before World AIDS Day on December 1.
Record Participation and Event Details
The charity run, held at the Snehadaan campus near Sarjapur Road, featured both 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer running routes. What made this year's event particularly significant was the record-breaking participation of approximately 440 children with HIV from across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Accompanying these young participants were around 500 "buddy runners" who ran alongside the children, creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere. This marked the highest participation since the running event began in 2022, demonstrating growing community engagement with the cause.
The Inspiration Behind the Initiative
The Rishi Foundation, which conducted the event, draws its inspiration from Rishi Shet, a teenager who tragically passed away in an accident in 2021. Since his passing, the foundation run by his brother and parents has organized various events including concerts to support underprivileged children and those affected by HIV.
Dr. Anita Shet, speaking about the purpose behind these runs, emphasized that the event aims to raise awareness about the power of physical activity in building resilience and maintaining good health. "Children living with HIV or other challenging circumstances can thrive when given the right support," she stated.
Dual Purpose: Awareness and Fundraising
The event served a dual purpose of both raising awareness and generating funds. Since all participating children are part of the foundation's Positive Running programme, the run also functioned as a fundraiser to expand and maintain this valuable initiative.
Dr. Shet highlighted that the event provides a public platform for young runners to demonstrate that HIV is no barrier to aspiration and achievement. The organizers hope that participants come away with a deeper appreciation of the strength and potential of these children, recognizing that they are just like children everywhere - full of dreams and determination.
"By running alongside them, participants witness firsthand how young people who have faced significant adversity can still chart their own future with confidence and joy," Dr. Shet explained. The deeper hope is that this shared experience helps reduce the stigma surrounding HIV and other hardships faced by children.
The Footprints 2025 charity run stands as a powerful testament to community solidarity and the potential of sports to bridge gaps in understanding while supporting vulnerable children in their journey toward health and happiness.
