On the 6th of February 2020, the entire UK and Philippines GrowFactor team will row/cycle/run the total length of India (3300km/2000 miles top to bottom) to raise money for Friends of the Children of Orissa (Orissa). 

Orissa is an amazing charity that works with vulnerable children in Bhubaneswar, India. They support two partners to provide over 400 children, mostly girls, with full-time board and schooling, as well as rescuing children from the railways. 

The school (known as PUSS) provides the girls with good education and loving care so they can leave school and go onto further education and formal employment. Without the school, these children would be condemned to a lifetime of leprosy, sex work and begging. Instead, Orissa provides the children with the opportunity of a happy, safe and fulfiling future.  

Orissa also supports SOCH to rescue runaway and lost children from the railways. They reunite children with their families (where appropriate) or find them secure homes they can be safe in.

GrowFactor's 13 member team will be undergoing the challenge of rowing, cycling and running 2000 miles to represent the hardship and struggle the children of Orissa face every single day of their lives. This challenge is non-stop! The team will need to move all day and night until 2000 miles have been conquered. 

Whilst the GrowFactor team will conquer the majority of the miles you can join in too! From 12:01 am on the 3rd of February 2020 you can donate your miles to the cause. The only rules are:

• The miles have to be earned via physical activity – you can’t go a drive in your car!
• You must donate your miles via Instagram

To donate simply take a picture of your total distance and post it to your Instagram story. Make sure to tag @teamgrowfactor with the hashtag #Miles4Orissa! We’ll thank you with a shout out and count your miles towards our total distance.

There is no limit to how many times you can donate during the week of the challenge but all submissions must be in before the GrowFactor team ends their challenge. Therefore, any submissions after the 7th of February 2020 will not be counted. 

As much as we’d appreciate your miles, the children of Orissa will appreciate your monetary donations much more. Please donate what you can to this amazing charity and help us reach our £3000 goal.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thanks for reading!