In its wisdom, nature has determined that a full solar year is 365 days and 6 hours. But people like round numbers so, our forefathers decided that each year will be 365 days exactly for three years and the fourth year will be 366 days. This fourth year is referred to as ‘Leap Year’ and after February 28, an extra day is added as February 29, also known as ‘Leap Day’.
In a way, you can say that nature has gifted each and every one of us with an extra day to live and use anyway we like. Mostly, we do nothing with this extra day other than to do what we do the day before or the day after. Imagine if we all determined to come together and do something different with this extra day! If we decide to give that day to a good cause or dedicate it to helping our fellow men less fortunate than us. If half the population of a city of 2 million gave one day to charity, this will amount to 2,740 years of living by one person! How amazing is this thought?
Based on the above fanciful idea, on 29th February 2012 a group of us in Cyprus got together and founded ‘The Leap Day Foundation’ to bring together ordinary people from all walks of life to give up some of their time to raise money through sponsorships and help others. Every year we hold events small and large with the majority of efforts being totally voluntary to raise funds to help a variety of deserving causes. Our website celebrates the achievements of our volunteers and lists the various causes we have been able to help over the years.
What are you waiting for, why don’t you leap in to action and give us 6 hours of your life once a year or if you like, a day every four years.