RunforAsha

In 1994, during a trek in the Indian Himalayas, Björn suffered a severe fall. Convinced that he had broken his ankle, he was unable to walk. For two days, he was carried on the back of an Indian porter named Tenzing until they finally reached a mountain pass with road access. From there, Björn hitchhiked his way to safety. When Björn offered Tenzing money as a gesture of gratitude and compensation, Tenzing gently refused and said: “That’s not what this is about.” Those words stayed with Björn. Back home in Sweden, Björn chose to express his gratitude by sponsoring a young girl named Asha, meaning "Hope" in Hindi. Asha lived in the village of Khunti in Jharkhand, in northeastern India. Ashas sister Manisha, worked for ASHA Jharkhand, a grassroot organization working to support women and children. Björn visited the organization and was impressed. A new idea emerged. Now a new loop begins in the circle of gratitude: Björn and his close friend Kristina will run from the Himalayan region where Björn was injured, across vast plains to Khunti and ASHA. The goal is to raise awareness and funds for ASHA Jharkhand. ASHA’s plan is to establish a Residential Football Training Center, where 150 children, suffering from poverty and migration, can live, eat, study, and train together, ensuring their allround development. For this plan to come true, there is a need for physical and financial contributions. Currently, ASHA supports several community-based football teams across villages in Jharkhand. The teams include girls and boys between 10 and 18 years of age, with around 150–200 young players. There is a need for basic football kits, balls, jerseys and training support for the children. The run will cover approximately 2,600 kilometers and 25 000 meters of altitude gain. The first 470 kilometers have an average elevation of over 4,000 meters, with the highest point reaching 5,328 meters, exposing the runners to steep climbs and a cold, arid climate. The run will start in September 2026 and finish about three months later. This is more than a run. It is a journey of gratitude. Of grit. And of hope. Built on genuine connection, this project is not just about running 2,700 kilometers —it is about creating lasting impact. You can contribute and help to create hope. Please do. Björn & Kristina