Girija's 100 km South Coast Ultra Challenge
Girija Duggal is raising money for Medecins Sans Frontieres / Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
In memory of Savita And Meki Duggal
Story
In April 2021, the second wave of Covid-19 hit India. The unforgiving virus and accompanying criminal political mismanagement devastated an overburdened healthcare system and laid bare pre-existing inequities to access for millions.
India recorded more than 4 million excess deaths between January 2020 and June 2021, according to the WHO. [“Official” figures by the Indian government put that number at only a tenth that number.]
The trauma affected my family at a deeply personal level. For three-and-a-half sleepless weeks in April and May, in the midst of a strict lockdown and apocalyptic scenes in Delhi, we raced against the clock trying to get both my parents timely access to hospital beds, lifesaving oxygen and antivirals, and fought to get them proper medical care at a time when doctors were either overworked, fatigued or scared to even step inside the overflowing ICUs.
My parents, Savita and Meki, didn't make it. They passed away in May 2021, three days apart in hospitals some 40 kilometres removed. The lockdown meant that our family couldn't even come together to grieve or bid them a proper farewell.
Like my family, millions across the world are still trying to come to terms with the trauma and grief unleashed not just by the epidemic but the colossal failures of underfunded healthcare systems, mismanagement and political blame games. For many of us, accountability remains a distant dream.
Why I'm fundraising
In what is the toughest personal challenge I’ve ever set myself, I’ll be taking on the South Coast Ultra Challenge in September, walking 100 kilometres from Eastbourne to Arundel on the southern coast of England over two days.
This walk is in memory of my lovely parents, who were taken cruelly too soon. It’s my way of honouring their lives and saying, ‘you are not forgotten, mom and dad’.
It's also a small ‘thank you’ to all the friends, family, colleagues and the army of nameless, faceless volunteers around the world who worked 24x7 to help my family during those three weeks and supported us in the dark days and months since. I think of you in gratitude every single day.
Finally, the walk is an effort to pass on the goodwill we received so that someone, somewhere in the world can get vital emergency healthcare when they most need it.
The Covid-19 pandemic has reinforced that dignified access to healthcare is a human right. If this walk helps bring lifesaving care to even one person, the miles and aching muscles will be worth it.
My chosen charities
I am fundraising for two charities, one each in the UK and India.
The first is Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) UK, the world's leading medical humanitarian aid organisation. They provide emergency assistance to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics and natural or human-made disasters, without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.
I also pledge to match the amount (up to £500) raised for MSF with a rupee-equivalent donation to a charity in India whose values and work align with my parents’ ethos. I’m currently working on shortlisting the right organisation, so bear with me till I announce the name here. (If you have any suggestions or worthwhile charities and causes, please feel free to share them with me).
About JustGiving and Gift Aid
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.
If you are a UK taxpayer, please remember to tick the Gift Aid box when you donate, which will allow MSF to claim 25p of tax for every £1 you donate at no extra cost to you.
Any amount you can donate will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading my JustGiving page.
Walking in memoriam,
Girija
This walk is in memory of my lovely parents, who were taken cruelly too soon. It’s my way of honouring their lives and saying, ‘you are not forgotten, mom and dad’.
It's also a small ‘thank you’ to all the friends, family, colleagues and the army of nameless, faceless volunteers around the world who worked 24x7 to help my family during those three weeks and supported us in the dark days and months since. I think of you in gratitude every single day.
Finally, the walk is an effort to pass on the goodwill we received so that someone, somewhere in the world can get vital emergency healthcare when they most need it.
The Covid-19 pandemic has reinforced that dignified access to healthcare is a human right. If this walk helps bring lifesaving care to even one person, the miles and aching muscles will be worth it.
My chosen charities
I am fundraising for two charities, one each in the UK and India.
The first is Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) UK, the world's leading medical humanitarian aid organisation. They provide emergency assistance to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics and natural or human-made disasters, without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.
I also pledge to match the amount (up to £500) raised for MSF with a rupee-equivalent donation to a charity in India whose values and work align with my parents’ ethos. I’m currently working on shortlisting the right organisation, so bear with me till I announce the name here. (If you have any suggestions or worthwhile charities and causes, please feel free to share them with me).
About JustGiving and Gift Aid
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.
If you are a UK taxpayer, please remember to tick the Gift Aid box when you donate, which will allow MSF to claim 25p of tax for every £1 you donate at no extra cost to you.
Any amount you can donate will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading my JustGiving page.
Walking in memoriam,
Girija