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Charity with a difference

Walking 12 hours a day in the heat might not be most people's idea of a "break", but for a group of Irish tourists who were here in the Capital recently, it was all for a cause. On a sponsored walk to India conducted by Friends of St. Luke's -- Ireland's premier cancer hospital -- it is all about holidaying with a purpose.

"Over 25 years ago an oncologist from St. Luke's Hospital started Friends for St. Luke's. It started with 25 of his friends. While the Government allocations keep the doors of the hospital open, the Friends of St. Luke's take care of the little things. One of the things we do to raise money is to conduct sponsored walks,'' said Geraldine Stafford of Friends of St. Luke's.

Travelling around Delhi, the walkers also made a trip to the Pink City and Agra. From exploring the small by-lanes of the Walled City of Delhi to taking a rickshaw round Chandni Chowk, it was a chance to get a flavour of the city. And to encourage them, the group was invited to a dinner at the residence of the Ambassador of Ireland, Kieran Dowling. Unlike buying greeting cards or even making donations that most people in India happily contribute to "do their bit", sponsored walks are really about going all the way. It is charity with a difference.

"We have done many sponsored walks abroad. Each walker has to raise some amount of money. People do that in all sorts of ways like conducting a raffle in a pub. Many who come on this walk have never travelled abroad. More than half the money the walkers raise goes towards Friends of St. Luke's,'' said Ms. Stafford. Looking to forge relationships with the patients and their families, the money that Friends of St. Luke's raise helps run a guest-house for relatives, an activity centre for patients and now even an ambulance service that runs as a taxi for elderly patients living in Dublin. -- Mandira Nayar

-- Mandira Nayar

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