Around 35 people in Nottingham – 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 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 Nottingham serving children, youths, families and the elderly.
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 12 noon from Rushcliffe Country Park.
After the opening ceremony, walkers, joggers and runners moved along the 10-kilometre picturesque route of Rushcliffe Country Park with refreshments available at the halfway mark. The public looked on in amazement as they appreciated the participation of young and old.
Sarita Saparia shared, “I participate in this event every year and it has been a wonderful opportunity to help various charities over the years. The best thing I like is the bringing together of people from different walks of life to help raise funds for worthwhile causes.”
One of the lead volunteers for the event, Meera Dal, added, “It is always a joy to help organise this event so that our local Nottingham centre can contribute to the national event partner. All the volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that the event runs smoothly and all participants thoroughly enjoy the day.”