Post date: Feb 15, 2014 2:15:18 PM
Thousands of Filipinos join a charity walk through Manila in a bid to break the world record for the largest walk for charity while raising money for typhoon victims in central Philippines.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (FEBRUARY 15, 2014) (REUTERS) - Hundreds of thousands of people participated in a mass charity walk through the capital, Manila on Saturday (February 15) to raise money for typhoon survivors in the central Philippinesand in a bid to break a world record for the largest charity walk.
The worldwide walk, which is happening in several locations in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and other parts of Asia, was organised by the Christian group Church of Christwith all proceeds going towards Typhoon Haiyan survivors. Only those participating in Manila were involved in the attempt to break the world record for largest charity walk, organisers said, however they said they were also looking to set other records such as for the largest charity walk in multiple locations in 24 hours.The Guinness World Records website lists the current largest charity walk as 'The New Paper Big Walk 2000' held in Singapore with 77,500 participants.
Most of the participants in Manila wore white t-shirts handed out ahead of the event and were members of the Church of Christ, organisers said.
Police estimated the crowd to be around 500,000 during the morning walk, which is expected to continue for the entire day with various programmes and prayers. Major roads leading to the charity walk were closed to traffic.
Organizers said the proceeds from the walk will be used to construct new homes for families affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the central Philippines.
"We wanted to show our solidarity to the world that the Church of Christ is united, and we want to help the victims of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)," said Church of Christ member Mark Manuyag.
Walk participant and Church of Christ member, Divine Abainza was happy to be helping those affected by the typhoon.
"We're happy that we know we can directly help, since the profits here will be sent to the typhoon victims," she said.
An average of 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year with Typhoon Haiyan slamming into central islands on Nov. 8 last year, killing more than 6,100 and wiping out entire coastal communities in Leyte and Samar.