More than 73 people – from toddlers through to senior citizens – came together to participate in the BAPS Annual Charity Challenge on Sunday 4 August 2024 at Temple Newsam Park, Leeds.
The participants walked, jogged and some even ran 10 kilometres in a fun-filled family and community event that raised vital funds for various good causes.
The Annual Charity Challenge was a nationwide effort that brought together more than 3,000 enthusiastic participants from towns and cities across the country for a fun and healthy way to raise money for various worthy causes and local charities.
The funds will support BAPS’s multifarious educational, community, and spiritual activities in Kirkstall Leeds, which serves children, youths, families, and the elderly.
The 2024 Challenge will also support BAPS’s local charity partner Kidney Research Yorkshire which has been supporting vital research into kidney disease and working to raise awareness about its risk factors.
Previous national partners for BAPS and BAPS Charities have included the NSPCC, 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, in Leeds West Yorkshire, the Challenge has helped St Gemma’s hospice in recent years.
There were also games organised for the whole family after the Challenge, and many refreshments provided along the way to keep walkers, joggers and runners hydrated and energised. The enjoyable, healthy day out with friends and family made a real, lasting impact by promoting active lifestyles and supporting the work of local charities and good causes.
David Fisher, Fundraising manager at Kidney Research Yorkshire, was also present at the opening ceremony.
Girish Sonigra a leading volunteer for BAPS in Leeds, explained, this was inspired by Mahant Swami Maharaj to serve everyone in the community; it is very encouraging to see so many children as well as senior members of the community joining in, which truly shows what people can accomplish when they work together.