More than 100 people – from toddlers through to senior citizens – came together to participate in the BAPS Annual Charity Challenge on 4 August at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Hindu Temple) on Lees Road, Ashton-under-Lyne.
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 over two thousand 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 Tameside and Greater Manchester, which serves children, youths, families, and the elderly.
The 2024 Challenge will also support BAPS’s local charity partner Friends of Tameside Young Carers, one of the charities supported by the Mayor of Tameside. The charity helps to provide facilities for Young Carers’ in their recreation and leisure time activities so that they are able to have the same experiences as their peers.
The Charity has provided visits to Blackpool Pleasure Beach, residential at YMCA National Centre Lakeland, Annual Young Carers Festival in Southampton, pantomimes, Christmas parties and theatre visits as well as supplying Christmas Gifts for the young people. There are 480 young carers registered in Tameside at present, 100 of whom are under the age of twelve.
Plenty of refreshments were 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.
The Civic Mayor of Tameside Councillor Betty Affleck and Deputy Mayor of Tameside Councillor Shibley Alam were present at the opening ceremony. In a short address before the walk began, the Mayor thanked BAPS for its continuing efforts in serving the wider community and welcomed the support by BAPS and the funds to help the work of the Friends of Tameside Young Carers.
Participant Nilam Patel, said “The 10K challenge is a great fun way to come together to support the good work of Young Carers in Tameside.”
Tak Patel, a leading volunteer for BAPS in Ashton, explained, “This challenge has been inspired by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj to serve everyone in the community. It was great 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. We’re already looking forward to the next one”