Participants in the 2021 Tamil Canadian Walkathon walk through Scarborough. The fundraising event for Sri Lankan hospitals returns on Sunday, Sept. 11. - Thushy Thurairatnam/photo

Participants in the 2021 Tamil Canadian Walkathon walk through Scarborough. The fundraising event for Sri Lankan hospitals returns on Sunday, Sept. 11. - Thushy Thurairatnam/photo

One of Canada’s leading Tamil-Canadian groups is asking people to participate in a Scarborough charity event on Sunday, Sept. 11 that could save many lives in Sri Lanka.

Proceeds from the 14th annual Tamil Canadian Walk, hosted by the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) in Thomson Memorial Park, will bring medicine and medical supplies to hospitals on the island, which is in the grip of economic and political turmoil.

“As Sri Lanka continues to suffer from its worst economic crisis, hospitals increasingly face a shortage of life-saving medicines,” the CTC said in a news release, adding there are critical shortages of essential items such as medicine for rabies and epilepsy, suture material, gauze and cotton socks for surgery.

Donations can be made at the walk during registration, which begins at 9 a.m. at the park on Brimley Road, or directly at https://gofund.me/231df42f.

Past Tamil Canadian Walks have supported both local and international causes, including the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the SickKids Foundation.

“Building on our past success, we ask Canadians to once again come together and answer the urgent plea for life-saving medicines from various parts of the island,” said Dr. Vadivelu Santhakumar, co-chairperson of the event.

More details and pledge forms are available at tamilcanadianwalk.com or by calling 416-240-0078.

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