Footwear for the needy

Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 15

To provide poor and needy students with shoes, students of The Gurukul School in Zirakpur joined hands with Bata company’s ‘Stride with Pride’ campaign.

The campaign is being run in association with an NGO, School Health Annual Report Programme (SHARP), with motto that ‘no child should go barefoot’.

“Under the campaign, for every old pair of footwear which will be donated by schoolchildren, Bata will give a new or refurbished pair of shoes to the needy children in the community for free,” said Sanjay Thareja, school Director.

He said so far, school students have donated at least 500 pairs of shoes. “Our students are so excited that they are getting old pair of shoes from their friends, neighbours, relatives and other acquaintances,” said Thareja.

He said the school was approached by NGO’s representatives a few days ago and they agreed to be a partner in the activity. “The old donated pairs that are not worth refurbishing will be discarded in an eco-friendly manner,” he said.

The students are being given a ‘Thank You’ badge and a pair of socks each from Bata for every pair of shoes donated.