More than a hundred people in Loughborough – from toddlers through to senior citizens – joined the BAPS Annual 10K Challenge on Sunday 22 April 2018.
The annual charity Challenge organised by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) brought together more than 3,200 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 Loughborough serving children, youths, families and the elderly.
This year’s event will also support the Mayor’s Appeal for MyAware, for their outstanding work in the community in supporting those with myasthenia.
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. Locally, the Challenge has helped Rainbow’s Hospice, Loros, Loughborough Sea Cadets and other local charities in recent years.
The event kicked off shortly after 11.00am from BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Loughborough in the presence of the Worshipful the Mayor of Charnwood Councillor Pauline Ranson and the Rt. Hon. MP Nicky Morgan.
Addressing the gathering, the Mayor of Charnwood said, “All age groups are able to take part in the 10KCchallenge and walk, stroll or run, following in the ethos of the organisation of ‘In the joy of others lies our own.’”
Also present at the event was the Rt. Hon MP Nicky Morgan, whoaddressing the gathering said, “The work and activities that you do for the community is great, and it is fantastic to see how active BAPS and the Mandir is in the local community.”
After the opening ceremony, walkers, joggersand runners moved along the 10-kilometre route from the Mandir and down Forest Road, all the way to Belvoir Drive, where there were snacks and refreshments for all participants. Marshals were stationed across the route for guidance and to support all the participants in the challenge.
Anjli Vadher, shared, “The Annual 10K Challenge is our way to support all the hard work that goes into these charities. The event was a fantastic success. We had the weather on our side and we all walked and ran together in unity. Looking forward to next year’s Challenge!”
One of the lead volunteers for the event, Vinay Sutaria, added, “It is great to see everyone coming together with unity for events like this, which are held regularly throughout the year. Hundreds of individuals take part in weekly events at the Mandir and we thank everyone who has helped and continues to help with such events over the years.”