Local children in Sheshan went the extra mile for Shanghai's elderly on Nov 19, as 497 kids hiked across Sheshan Mountains to raise money for charities helping the city's senior citizens.
The annual hiking challenge has become an annual fixture in Sheshan since it was launched by Shanghai United Foundation in 2014, with this year's event already raising 360,000 yuan ($52,305) as of Nov 19 for institutions serving marginalized senior citizens in Shanghai.
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Local families taking part in the hiking challenge pose for a group photo in Sheshan on Nov 19. [Photo/sheshantravel.gov.cn] |
The children, aged between 4 and 12 years old, hiked either 5 or 10 kilometers accompanied by their parents, collecting donations in the run-up to the event through an online crowdfunding app.
For many of the 458 families that participated in this year's hike, taking part in the event has become an annual family tradition.
"The hike helps my kid take some exercise, and gives him the opportunity to taste the sweetness of good deeds and make friends with his peers," one parent said.
The children set off from the eastern side of Sheshan Mountains. With maps in hands, they tried to lead their parents 10 km across the mountains, stopping at each checkpoint on the way to pick up a special cartoon sticker.
At the halfway point, the children received a medal and were given the choice of carrying on for the extra 5 km.
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Children enjoy the fresh air and quality time with their parents during the hike in Sheshan. [Photo/sheshantravel.gov.cn] |
The event has helped much-needed funds for Shanghai's charities serving the elderly, which are becoming stretched due to the city's rapidly aging population. In the past two years, the hike has raised a total of 713,000 yuan for 12 local public service programs, which have helped 2,577 of the city's senior citizens.
