CNN-IBN initiative: Sachin's autographed bats up for charity

As Sachin Tendulkar marks 20 incredible years in cricket, he is once again batting for his fans.

To commemorate the cricketer’s 20 years in a special CNN-IBN initiative 20 bats personally autographed by Sachin have been put on auction for charity.

“We are honoured and delighted that Sachin is doing this for charity. I just had to call him once and he spontaneously agreed which is typical of the man whose heart is bigger than even his bat,” says CNN-IBN Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai.

Sachin himself has been involved in a lot of charity work, in particular with Apnalaya, an NGO that works with Mumbai’s streetchildren.

Andhra Pradesh Floods- AID sought

Aid sought for 7.5 lakh children affected by floods

HYDERABAD: About 7.5 lakh children are affected by floods across the State, specially in Kurnool, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Krishna and Guntur districts and an estimated Rs. 3.14 crore is required to get them access to medicare so that an outbreak of diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases can be checked.

In a press release, the international voluntary agency Save the Children has appealed to the people from all sections of society to rise to the occasion and contribute their mite to mobilise this amount.

Save the Children CEO Thomas Chandy said 13 per cent of children under 5 years of age were already acutely malnourished.

“The current level of acute malnutrition in Andhra Pradesh is already just below the global emergency trigger threshold. With so many children denied access to clean water and sanitation, they are especially at a greater risk of water-borne diseases including diarrhoea, one of the biggest killers of children in India,” he added.

A donation of Rs. 1,000 would ensure that a family of six got a set of kitchen utensils, including a stove and fuel, pots and pans for cooking as well as plates and glasses. A contribution of Rs. 10,000 would help a relief camp with space for children separated from their parents, to be safe, with a meal a day till they are reconnected with their family, the release said. Those willing to donate may contact Save the Children through mobile sms SAVE AP to 55050 or over the website ‘ www.savethechildren.in’.

Delhi and Mumbai Marathon(nov 1/09 and jan17/10)

Run for us

Did you know that 2 million children under the age of 5 die every year in India due to causes that are easily preventable ?

For millions of children born today, there is no future to look forward to. Given that 90% of children die of easily preventable illnesses - pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, measles and under nutrition - we know that we can prevent these needless deaths. Shockingly, malnourishment amongst children in several parts of India is worse than in many sub Saharan African countries.

We are trying to stop this. With your support, we can achieve this. Click here to read a real life story from the Delhi slums.

Run to support us:

Delhi Marathon (November 1, 2009)

Mumbai Marathon (January 17, 2010)

MODES OF PARTICIPATION (all amounts mentioned below are for Delhi only. To know the exact amount for Mumbai, please fill up the form at the bottom of the page)

I-Pledge (Delhi only)	Dream Teamer	Corporate Sponsors
Rs. 500/person (7km Run) Rs. 700/person (21km Run)	Min. Rs. 100,000/person	Rs. 209,000/ Organization
- Registration for the marathon - Running Bib with number - Save the Children T-Shirt - Pledge Kit - Top I-Pledgers get rewards - Timing Chip	- Registration for the marathon - Personalized Running Bib with number - Save the Children T-Shirt - Customized web page and support for creating the same to raise money online. - A press meet for all the dream teamers to introduce and interact with the media. - Invite for the VIP Marquee on the day of the event - A priority line up at the start of the run. - Processing, reconciliation and acknowledging all pledge cheques received, issuing receipts and 80G certificates as may be applicable - A set of five awards to be won in the category - Pledge Kit - Timing Chip	- Registration for the marathon for 30 employees - Special Running Bibs with name of corporate - Profile of the corporate to be put up on the event website - Separate holding area at the Event Venue on the Race Day with added features like LCD screens, event ambassador or other celebrity visit etc. - Separate Line-up of CC teams as a Roll of Honour depending upon the amounts raised by them. - Invitation to the heads/CEOs of top 3 corporates who raised maximum amounts to wave off their team during the Great Delhi Run with other VIP's and celebrities. - Interaction of the heads/CEO's with the MCs/RJs present at the event. - Six charity awards to be vied for and won in the category - Save the Children T-Shirts - Pledge Kits. - Timing Chip