More than 225 people in Crawley – from toddlers 2.5 years to senior citizen of 80 years joined the BAPS Annual 10K Challenge on Sunday 22 April 2018.
The annual charity Challenge organised by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha brought together more than 3,000 enthusiastic participants from towns and cities across the UK for a fun and healthy way to raise money for various worthy causes and local charities.
The funds will go towards supporting BAPS’s multifarious educational, community and spiritual activities in Crawley serving children, youths, families and the elderly.
This year’s event will also support The Olive Tree Cancer Support Centre for their outstanding work in the local community by providing a range of support services to cancer patients, their carers and families.
The Olive Tree Cancer Support Centre team provided glitter tattoos for the young participants and massage and foot therapy to the adult participants.
The 2018 Challenge will also be supporting BAPS’s national charity partner, Carers UK, the country’s only national membership charity for carers. It aims to make life better for the 6.5 million people in the UK who are supporting a loved one who is older, disabled or seriously ill.
Previous national partners for BAPS and BAPS Charities have included Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, the Anthony Nolan Trust, Barnardo’s, Breast Cancer Care, the British Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK, KIDS, and Macmillan Cancer Support.
The event kicked off shortly after 1.30pm from Ifield Green Playing Field in the presence of Mr Henry Smith, Conservative MP for Crawley.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Smith said, “I am very pleased to be part of the much needed charity fundraising organised by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha in Crawley. I am also pleasantly surprised at the level of organisation seen this afternoon and the number of people taking part, ranging from very young to senior citizens. I hope this becomes an annual fundraising event and next time will run with the participants.”
After the opening ceremony, walkers, joggers and runners moved along the perimeter of the Ifield Green Playing Field undertaking 12 laps covering a total of 10 kilometres. Volunteers were positioned along the route to ensure the safety of the participants. First-aiders were also available on site. Refreshments were served throughout the event.
Adults and children also enjoyed plenty of other healthy exercise as they participated in various sports and games after the Challenge, rounding off a thoroughly fun day out for the whole family.
Manoj shared, “All my family members are here today. We never spent as much time having fun together as we are having today. It is also pleasing that at the same time we are also raising funds for the charity that is doing such good work. One of our friends was helped by this charity."