On Sunday, August 13, Lewis, Jay, Daniel and Ryan will challenge themselves to the max when they attempt to complete 21km of mud and obstacles at Tough Mudder South West in Badminton to raise money for Calcutta Rescue. 

None of us have ever done anything like this before but we have been inspired by the amazing work Calcutta Rescue does improving the lives of the poorest people in the slums of Kolkata, India, which Ryan witnessed during a visit there earlier this year. 

Calcutta Rescue strives to create opportunities for the most disadvantaged people to be free of the burden of disease and for their children to get the support they need to make the most of education and the opportunities it offers. 

The charity also initiates collaborations with other organisations to provide essential services in slums, and provides employment opportunities in its fairtrade handicraft project. Our aim is to generate all the essential support necessary for individuals, and whole communities, to transform their lives for the better.

Calcutta Rescue offers primary health centres that offer a basic package of essential health services including medicines, simple diagnostics, and consultation free of cost. These clinics serve as the first point of contact for the population, offer timely services, and reduces the load of referrals to secondary and tertiary health facilities in the city.

Calcutta Rescue runs two educational institutes, which provide love, care, support and a safe learning environment for Kolkata’s street and slum children. At our centres we do more than just teach. We know that in order to learn, children must be well fed, healthy, active and have the appropriate clothing and equipment – we try to provide everything the children need that they are not able to get at home or at their school.

I have personally experienced the difference Calcutta Rescue are making in the slums, bringing clean drinking water, toilets and improving their living conditions. 

The Calcutta Rescue Research Collaborative comprises a group of international research volunteers from a wide variety of disciplines.  They meet online to generate relevant, well-researched, accountable research protocols buttressed by rigorous methodology and ethical guidance.