More than 100 people in Wellingborough – from toddlers through to senior citizens – joined the BAPS Annual 10K Challenge on Sunday 8 April 2018.
The annual charity Challenge organised by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) brought together more than 3,200 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 Wellingborough serving children, youths, families and the elderly.
This year’s event will also support the outstanding work of KidsAid in the local community. KidsAid works with children and young people that have suffered abuse, neglect, domestic violence, illness, bullying and various other difficulties.
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 1.00pm from BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Wellingborough in the presence of The Mayor of Wellingborough, Cllr Paul Bell.
Addressing the gathering, Councillor Bell said, “I am delighted to continue to show my support to BAPS and thank them for their committed and hard work over the years.”
After the opening ceremony, walkers, joggers and runners moved along from the Mandir to Eastfield Park for the 10-kilometre route.
Shiv Patel, a participant, shared, “I thoroughly enjoyed the day and was happy to see everyone participating together to raise funds and give something back to our local community.”
One of the lead volunteers for the event, Mahesh Patel, added, “It was amazing to see so many people turn up for this worthwhile cause and we are very fortunate for the huge effort by the volunteers.”