By Chris Bavender
When Charlie Horrocks started thinking about his Eagle Scout project, he had several ideas.
“One was to help the hungry and some other smaller ideas,” the 15-year-old said. “I always wanted to help someone who was in poverty or need.”
That’s when he got the idea to promote awareness of the need for clean water.
“I decided that clean water is not (an idea) that a lot of people think about. We also have a close family friend that works for Filter of Hope, which is my beneficiary for this project,” said Horrocks, a freshman at Carmel High School. “He gave me a lot of good ideas on what we could do to help increase awareness of how many people cannot easily get to clean water.”
To help raise awareness and funding for water filters, Horrocks, a member of Troop 2061 in Carmel, will host a 6K — as opposed to a traditional 5K — at 8 a.m. Oct. 5.
“Based off of research, it takes the average person in most undeveloped countries 6 kilometers of walking to get to clean water,” he said. “We are running 6K to put us in their shoes.”
The race will start and end at the Jack Rabbit running store, 2452 E. 146th St. in Westfield.
“People can walk or run the race or just even be a part of it,” Horrocks said. “We just want people to know that clean water is very important. The race is just a fun way to do it.”
Participants can run for free or make a donation to support the cost of a water filter. They have the option of requesting a T-shirt upon registration.
“Beyond the cost of the T-shirt, all the proceeds go to support Filter of Hope and giving people who need access to clean water a better chance,” Horrocks said.
The effors also will help Horrocks achieve his lifelong dream of becoming an Eagle Scout, following in the footsteps of his two older brothers.
“I feel it’s very important for me to achieve my Eagle Scout, because when I have finished all the ranks of Scouting, I would have already prepared myself for what kind of things in life I will come in contact with, such as getting a job and starting a family and knowing how to take care of myself and others,” Horrocks said.
For more or to register, visit cleanwater6k.weebly.com/.
