World Vision Goodwill Ambassador and professional endurance athlete, Samantha Gash has kicked off a global relief run this week, to raise lifesaving funds for the people of India devastated by Covid-19.

Kicking off today (11 June) ‘Relief Run’ is a virtual run that is expected to finish on Sunday 13 June 2021.

Gash, a social entrepreneur, and former Survivor contestant is the co-creator of ‘Relief Run’, which last year reportedly raised more than $1 million in support of Australian bushfire relief efforts.

And this time around she is running for India and is calling on Aussies (and the Aussie running community) to join her in running (or walking) 5km, 10km or a half-marathon over the weekend (until Sunday, 13 June 2021), with all funds raised going towards World Vision’s Covid-19 India crisis appeal.

For Gash her connection with India is personal.

In 2016, she completed Run India, an incredible 3200km run from the west to east of India to raise funds for World Vision education initiatives.

“The scale of the tragedy in India is heartbreaking, but I feel confident the generosity of Australians can make a difference,” says Gash.

“I think everyone of us has some connection to India and is devastated by the every-increasing scale of loss.

“It is heart-wrenching to see the endless suffering of individuals and vulnerable communities that are now at even great risk.”

World Vision is working in some of India’s worst-hit areas and the appeal is expected to provide lifesaving funds for equipment and supplies, including beds, oxygen concentrators, food vouchers and tents for temporary Covid-19 care centres.

“We are very grateful for Samantha’s support, and her willingness to use her platform again and again to help others,” says World Vision CEO, Daniel Wordsworth.

“I implore you to register for this run so we can help the people of India work towards an end to this grave humanitarian crisis.”

For more information and to find out how you can help and participate in the ‘Relief Run’ run, visit: reliefrun.com.au/

To donate to World Vision’s Covid-19 India crisis appeal, visit: worldvision.com.au/end-corona-for-India

Feature image: World Vision.