More than 130 people from the Hindu community at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Luton came together to participate in the BAPS 10K Charity Challenge on Sunday 3 August 2025.
The participants – from toddlers through to senior citizens – walked, jogged or ran 10 kilometres at Stockwood Park Academy in a fun-filled family and community event that raised vital funds for various good causes.
The annual Charity Challenge is a nationwide effort that brings together more than 3,000 enthusiastic participants at around 20 towns and cities across the country, offering a fun and healthy way to raise money for various local and national charities.
The funds will support BAPS’s multifarious educational, community, and spiritual activities in Bedfordshire, which serve children, youths, families, and the elderly.
The 2025 Challenge will also support BAPS’s national charity partner, Children With Cancer UK, which is the country’s leading childhood cancer charity aiming to help every child and young person survive cancer by funding life-saving research and supporting patients and their families through treatment and beyond.
The participants also raised funds for Kids in Action, a local charity that provide opportunities and support to children, young people and young adults with disabilities and special needs in the UK.
Previous national partners for BAPS and BAPS Charities have included Age UK, the Alzheimer’s Society, the Anthony Nolan Trust, Barnardo’s, Breast Cancer Care, the British Heart Foundation, Carers UK, Diabetes UK, KIDS, Macmillan Cancer Support, and the NSPCC. Locally, in Bedfordshire, the Challenge has helped Mind BLMK, Chums, Happy Days and Signposts in recent years.
The day ended with fun games and activities for the whole family.
Dimple Ranchhoojee, one of the participants, shared, “We had a wonderful time at the 10k charity walk, enjoying great company and a day filled with fun. It was inspiring to see so many people come together to support our chosen children's charity.”
PCSO Danny McHugh, from the Bedfordshire Police Community Support Office was present at the opening ceremony. PSCO Danny McHugh said “It was an absolute please to take part in the BAPS 10k challenge. The event was a fantastic demonstration of the community spirit with everyone coming together to raise funds for the local and national charities. I was proud to be part of it and support the efforts to make a real difference in making the community stronger. We are really emphasising the Together for Bedfordshire message, and this was a wonderful example.”
Hersh Shah, a leading volunteer at the BAPS Hindu temple in Luton, added, “The annual Charity Challenge is inspired by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, who teaches us to serve everyone in the community, regardless of faith or background, as a part of our moral and spiritual duty. We are grateful for this opportunity to come together – young and old – to support one another and make our town a better place to live, work, and thrive.”