Charity
Expats finish 2,000km journey raising funds for underprivileged children
  • | dtinews.vn | February 21, 2024 06:04 PM
Australian expat Jake Norris and his Irish friend Sean Down are nearing the end of their 2,000-kilometre journey from Hanoi to HCM City, aiming to raise funds for the Thanh Loc Project and Blue Dragon Children's Foundation, two charities supporting underprivileged children.



Australian expat Jake Norris (left) and his Irish friend Sean Down are nearing the end of their 2,000-kilometre journey from Hanoi to HCM City, aiming to raise funds to support underprivileged children. Photo by the Australian Embassy.

They will celebrate the completion of their journey at Jaspa’s restaurant in the city centre at 3 pm on February 24.

Their initiative, the Expat Vietnam Charity Walk: A Walk For Change, has garnered widespread attention and support from individuals, companies, and communities both within and outside Vietnam.

So far, the campaign has raised over USD35,000. With more fundraising events on the horizon and an increasing number of corporate sponsors joining the effort, the campaign's momentum shows no signs of slowing.

Jake, who works as an English teacher in Vietnam, drew inspiration from the kind and joyful children he encountered during his travels, despite their daily struggles and adversity.

"The unimaginable challenges these children face compel us to act," Jake stated. "Our walk across Vietnam aims to not only raise funds but also highlight the daily struggles these children endure."

The initiative has gained significant traction on social media, with dedicated Facebook and Instagram pages (facebook.com/VietnamCharityWalk & instagram.com/vietnamcharitywalk/) providing updates, stories, and engagement opportunities for individuals and businesses.

Reflecting on the experience, Jake said, "It's been an unforgettable adventure. We've faced intense challenges, from food shortages to a week of relentless, freezing rain, and recently, 35-kilometre daily treks in 40°C heat, starting our days at 4 am to escape the heat."

"The journey has also been filled with incredible interactions and friendships. The generosity we've encountered in terms of time, money, and accommodation has been overwhelming. Every day, someone has stopped their bike and offered us food or water."

"We'll miss the daily reminders of people's kindness."

To support Jake and Sean's cause and contribute to the Vietnam Charity Walk, you can donate at https://gogetfunding.com/vietnam-charity-walk/

Further details about the event on February 24 are available on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/bG6aVd8bW7vvJ8vs/?mibextid=xfxF2i

The Thanh Loc Project aims to provide education, housing, food, water, and shelter for Vietnam's underprivileged children, while the Blue Dragon Children's Foundation is dedicated to fighting human trafficking, rescuing victims, offering rehabilitation, education, vocational training, and raising awareness to prevent further exploitation.

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