The BAPS Annual National Sponsored Walk was held on Sun 2 April 2006 at all BAPS Swaminarayan Mandirs and Centres across the UK in London, Leicester, Ashton, Birmingham, Wellingborough, Loughborough, Nottingham and Cardiff.
Inspired by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, this year's walk was once again an outstanding success. Over 2000 participants walked for 10km in various centres throughout the country. Walkers between the age of 7 and 90 participated.
The walk at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden, London, commenced at 9am from the Ceremonial Gate of the Mandir with the performance of Vedic rituals by the sadhus in the presence of The Lord Mayor of Brent, Columbus Moloney and Tony McNulty, MP for Harrow East and Minister of State for Immigration.
The route was stewarded by the BAPS volunteers and medical assistance was also provided. Arrangements for cold drinks and fruits were also made at rest points. The event was managed by over 100 volunteers.
Young boys and girls between the age of 4 and 7 also participated in their own mini-walk around the perimeters of the Mandir completing 11 rounds.
This year, participants contacted over 35,000 people to obtain sponsorships. The funds raised from this year's Sponsored Walk will be used by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha for its various charitable – social, cultural, moral, educational and humanitarian – activities.
On Saturday 8 April 2006 during the Shri Swaminarayan Jayanti celebrations, prizes were presented for the Sponsored Walk in two categories: ‘Most Sponsors Contacted’ and ‘Most Funds Raised’ across four age groups – Bal-Balika, Kishore-Kishori, Yuvak-Yuvati and Sanyukta-Mahila age groups. The trophies were a token of the hard work and efforts put in by the devotees to raise funds for the charities.