More than 100 people in Wellingborough – from toddlers through to senior citizens – joined the BAPS Annual Challenge on Sunday 7 July 2019.
The annual charity Challenge organised by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) brought together over 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 Wellingborough serving children, youths, families and the elderly.
This year’s event will also support Children Are Butterflies for their outstanding support to families in times of emotional and financial hardship following the death of a child.
The 2019 Challenge will also be supporting BAPS’s national charity partner, the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) – the UK’s leading charity campaigning and working to protect children from neglect, harm and abuse.
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, and Macmillan Cancer Support. Locally, the Challenge has helped KidsAid in recent years.
The event kicked off shortly after 12 noon from BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Wellingborough, on Mill Road.
After the opening ceremony, walkers, joggers and runners moved along the 10-kilometre route at Irchester Country Park. The event also included various sports and games which were enjoyed by participants of all ages, providing a fun-filled family day out in the sunshine.
Amar Patel, a participant, shared, “I loved the whole purpose behind it and seeing everyone attending to support worthy causes. My children enjoyed the challenge aspect and the day as a whole.”
One of the lead volunteers for the event, Milan Patel, added, “A sincere thanks to those volunteers involved in the planning and execution, making it so memorable. Raising funds for these worthwhile charities and providing an event where families in the community can engage and work together for such a good cause was very pleasing.”