On the morning of Sunday 10th April 2016, BAPS hosted its Walkathon 2016 in Sydney, Australia. in support of Westmead Medical Research Foundation (WMRF) and LBW Trust. WMRF conducts life-saving medical research while the LBW Trust provides scholarships to economically disadvantaged students in developing cricket-playing countries to help them complete their tertiary education.
Families, children and the elderly all turned out for the 3-km walk through Auburn Botanic Gardens. Walkers were flagged off by Paramchintan Swami & Priyachintan Swami with the chief guest walkers, Hon. Luke Foley – Opposition Leader NSW, Hon. Daniel Mookhey, State Member NSW, Mr. Ian Chappell, Hon John Faulkner – Ex Senator, Mr. David Vaux.
Addressing the walkers, Priyachintan Swami said that the tradition of walking for the good of others began in the Swaminarayan Sampradaya over 200 years ago with the divine pilgrimage of Nilkanth Varni, who walked for seven years across India to inspire spiritual seekers and help people in the community. Around 500 participants took part in the event which collected funds for a noble cause.