Derrick Rose, an Englewood native, donated $7,000 to a man who is trying to raise awareness of the need for resources to keep the city's children off its violent streets. View Full Caption Keith Allison

CHICAGO — Former Bulls star Derrick Rose has donated $7,000 to a man walking from Chicago to Washington, D.C., to help stop Chicago's gun violence.

Demetrius Nash, of Bronzeville, hopes his long walk to D.C. can raise awareness of the city's gun violence and the need for funding for violence-prevention programs. Rose and his partner, Mieka Blackman-Reese, donated to Nash's campaign through GoFundMe on Monday.

"We're proud of all the great work you're doing to save the youth of Chicago and providing a framework for at-risk youth for sustainability by providing training for a trade and mentoring via positive & successful mentors," Rose and Blackman-Reese wrote in a comment on the campaign's GoFundMe. "God bless you with safe travels on your journey."

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Rose, who grew up Englewood, has discussed how gun violence impacted his own childhood and family. He has paid for and attended the funerals of murder victims and donated $1 million to After School Matters, a Chicago organization that offers extracurricular activities for the city's children and teens.

The donation means Nash's GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $21,000 and is close to his goal of $25,000.

Nash began his journey on Friday and estimates his walk will take about 22 days.