Donors run in circles for ‘Yolanda’ survivors

Quezon City Circle. INQUIRER.net file photo

MANILA, Philippines–A couple of weeks after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” brought unprecedented devastation across Central Philippines, a deluge of unparalleled aid fell upon the survivors.

Last Sunday, another event was held to add to the relief efforts for Yolanda survivors and that addition came in the form of P11 million, and counting.

Dubbed “YolandaRun,” 1,400 runners, mostly families and friends, took part in the 3.6-kilometer race around at the Quezon City Circle early Sunday morning.

“The amount is only from the partial donations from the runners,” said Bing Camacho, one of the organizers of the fun run. “Of course those are only from the people who actually made the run, there were also groups and individuals who pledged help.”

According to Alice Raymundo, one of the organizers of the fun run, proceeds from the donations from the participants will be used to send repair kits—composed of plywood, lumber, tools—to those people who have not been receiving the same attention as those of major cities affected.

A registration fee of P300 “or more” were asked from the runners but as of press time there is no ballpark figure since other donors who did not partake in the run also gave donations and pledges were also promised.

National Anti-Poverty Commission, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Alliance of 7, Habitat for Humanity and Ecowaste Coalition were the organizers of the fund-raising run.

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