More than 50 people in Milton Keynes 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 Milton Keynes serving children, youths, families and the elderly.
This year’s event will also support Willen Hospice for their outstanding work in the local community of Milton Keynes in providing specialist end-of-life care for adults, focusing on four key areas: specialist symptom control, emotional support, spiritual support and care for carers.
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 11.00am from Campbell Park Pavilion in the presence of Councillor David Hopkins, Mayor of Milton Keynes.
Addressing the gathering, David said, “What you’re doing today is working on behalf of the community, and that’s something we really applaud. Communities are based on mutual help and helping develop the great society that we have in Milton Keynes. I’ve known from experience from the number of occasions I’ve been able to meet with your community and just how much you’re achieving here in Milton Keynes. It’s a real honour and I’m really proud to be part of that here today.”
After the opening ceremony, walkers, joggers and runners moved along the 10-kilometre route, completing rounds of the park with volunteers on hand with refreshments and instructions as necessary.