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"Long March" to Raise Money for Poor Students

Beginning on October 15, the Long March for Education aims to raise at least 20 million yuan (US$2.56 million) to help build or rebuild 101 "Hope schools" to provide educations to poor students in rural areas.

The unprecedented charity walkathon hopes to raise funds for China's school dropouts, and has launched a campaign in search of more support and participation from local companies and individuals. Twenty-four volunteers, 6 from the Chinese mainland and 16 from Hong Kong, plus 2 foreigners, have registered to follow the former steps of the Red Army, which completed the historic Long March about 70 years ago. They will set off from Ruijin, Jiangxi Province, trudge through 10 provinces and autonomous regions, and finally arrive at Wuqi Town, Shaanxi Province. The journey will cover 8,038 kilometres and will take about eight months to complete.

Volunteers are required to pay 70,000 yuan (US$8,434) to cover their own travel costs and are expected to raise at least 80,000 yuan in sponsorships. Participants are also welcome to walk one or more sections of the total distance. For each section walked, volunteers are expected to pay about 3,000 yuan for expenses and raise 3,000 yuan in sponsorships.