Bengaluru: Ajay Gupta could have been like any NRI in the US, running the unending rat race, but he chose to be different. He now lives in Bengaluru and works at an MNC, but has single-handedly raised several lakhs of rupees for the cause he supports children. When he was in the US, he found that marathons were an immensely popular way of fundraising and being a runner himself, it aroused his interest. He became part of Asha for Education, a global, volunteer-based NGO that raises money to support causes concerning underprivileged kids.

Gupta and a group of volunteers are the core team at Asha in Bengaluru and are also part of a team called Runners’ High, which trains people for long distance events. This group of runners reaches out to a wide network of family and friends to raise money for worthy causes by doing what they love best running. They raise money by requesting people to sponsor them by the kilometre, with Rs 1000 as the base. Those who want to volunteer are expected to charge at least Rs 1000 per kilometre they run, although this amount can go up to Rs 5,000.

All the proceeds, of course, go to charity. Last year, Gupta alone raised Rs 2.1 lakh at the rate of Rs 5,000 per km. He also volunteers as an after-school mathematics teacher for eighth grade students at the Ananya Trust on Sarjapur Road.

“We are a bunch of volunteers who raise money and support projects across the city, all of them related to children,” said Gupta. The Asha team in Bengaluru also works in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Their project here is in collaboration with the Sita School in Sylvipura. “Our job involves assessing potential cases, paying them a visit and conducting background checks. If everything fits, we facilitate funding for education.”

The Sita School, which has worked closely with Asha For Education here in Bengaluru, was founded back in the 1970s by an Englishwoman named Jane Sahi. The school caters to the children of construction workers and farmers living in the area. “It gives them a special education, one that is catered to suit the child’s ability,” explained Gupta. “At Asha, we sponsor various causes related to children, whether they are differently abled or poor.” Through the funding they get, they provide the school also provides the children with lunch and a mid-evening snack.

People who want to volunteer need to sign up with Runners’ High, which was started by an ex-Asha volunteer, as marathons grew increasingly popular as a method of raising funds. “It gives us a platform to reach out by doing what we love,” he said. “The marathon year is divided into the summer, monsoon and winter seasons,” explained Gupta. “The winter season for Runners’ High begins in October and goes on till about Feb.” The volunteer is asked to make an online page talking about himself and his cause, to help spread the word.

If you’re up early and in Cubbon Park early on a Saturday morning, you’re likely to see this group of techies out there training. “It’s always nice to give back,” said Gupta. “This is our way of using our passion to reach out to those who need help.”