KANCHANABURI: Donations raised by a Bangkok art teacher for a public hospital in Kanchanaburi topped 3 million baht as he passed through Ratchaburi province on the 8th day of his 14-day charity run from Thong Pha Phum district to the capital.
Natthawat Rojsuthee, 35, alias "Khru Nat'', of Yothinburana School, reached Ban Pong district of Ratchaburi on Tuesday after leaving Tha Maka district of Kanchanaburi around 5am.
He was warmly received by residents along the route, who waited to hand him money. On arrival at Tha Pha municipality in Ban Pong district he took a rest to treat a muscle pain in his thigh.
Khru Nat began his charity run on April 3 to raise money for Thong Pha Phum Hospital and help pay for needed essential medical equipment. He initially set a target of only 50,000 baht for the run, which began at the hospital and will conclude at his school in Bangkok - a distance of about 300km.
However, donations have already risen above 3 million baht.
He said he was inspired by his work as a volunteer helping children living in remote areas in Sangkhla Buri and Thong Pha Phum districts. After learning of the difficulties these people had getting life-saving treatment at the hospital he decided to make a charity run with his friends to raise funds for essential equipment it lacked.
His team planned to continue the run to Nakhon Pathom on Tuesday and stay overnight at Phrong Madua tambon municipality of Muang district.
“Every baht donated by people in Kanchanaburi and nearby provinces, including money transferred into a bank account by other people across the country, will be used to purchase medical equipment for Thong Pha Phum Hospital as intended.
"Donations will also be given to Sangkhla Buri Hospital to buy medical equipment,’’ Khru Nat said.
