Charity walkers raise K12m

Seven youthful Malawians who set off on May 30 for a 362-kilometre 10-day charity walk from Lilongwe to Blantyre have so far raised K12 million towards their target of K22 million (about $17 600).

The walkers, comprising two men and five women, are walking to raise funds to buy medical equipment for the High Dependency Unit of Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) paediatric ward.

The group’s support team leader and spokesperson Deborah Mayuni, speaking in a telephone interview on yesterday, said the walkers, remaining with less than 100 kilometres to reach their destination Blantyre, have been overwhelmed by Malawians support.

“The support from Malawians has been so overwhelming. So many people, especially over the weekend, have been stopping for the walkers to show support in one way or another. Some have been giving us supplies such as food and medical supplies.

“Many people have also been donating. We have had so many influential people stopping for us, many Members of Parliament [MPs] and a number of ministers. Yesterday, we had the Nyasa Big Bullets who came and walked about a kilometre with us,” said Mayuni.

According to Mayuni, some of the influential people who have stopped by to give the walkers support are Mary Chilima, wife to Vice-President Saulos Chilima who was with them when they started off from Lilongwe on day one and also paid them a visit on day three, MPs Juliana Lunguzi, William Kalima and Rashid Gaffar, Cabinet ministers Peter Kumpalume, Patricia Kaliati and Bright Msaka.

Contributions towards the cause are being made through bank deposits to Standard Bank, City Mall Branch, account number 01400369314000, account name Beyond You; through Airtel Money 0998 226 181 and TNM Mpamba 0885 636 070. People are requested to  contributeK1 per kilometre or more.

The seven charity walkers are Wanangwa Msutu, Duwa Mvula, Milca Mphepo, Tiyanjane Kapalamula, Ruth Gondwe, Ivy Chilingulo and Kalolo Msaka. n