BAPS Annual Charity Challenge Raises Funds for Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice in South East London.
More than 300 people – from toddlers through to senior citizens – came together to participate in the BAPS Annual Charity Challenge on Sunday 4 th August at Shooters Hill Sixth Form College.
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 300 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 South East London, which serves children, youths, families, and the elderly.
The 2024 Challenge will also support BAPS’s local charity partner Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, which provides free, high-quality compassionate care and support for people with a terminal illness, their families, and their professional carers in the London Boroughs of Royal Greenwich and Bexley.
Plenty of refreshments were provided along the way to keep walkers, joggers and runners hydrated and energised, while after the Challenge, there were games organised for the whole family. 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.
Simran Kaur, Community Development and Engagement Manager at Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, thanked BAPS for its continuing efforts in serving the wider community. She said, “A huge thank you to everyone at BAPS for supporting the Community Hospice at their Annual 10K Challenge. Our volunteer “Owly”, John, had such a wonderful time on the day, mentioning how lovely it was being invited to take part in the opening ceremony, and how grateful he felt for such a warm welcome. We can't do what we do without the support of organisations like BAPS. With your help, we’re on hand to support people when they need us – whether that’s through pain management, with difficult conversations, practicalities around care at home, or empowering sessions in our wellbeing hub. Fundraising events like this help people to live as well as they can, for as long as they can. So, thank you again for your amazing support.”
John, the “Owly”, added, “I found the BAPS event very enjoyable - in fact a real hoot! Walking 5k of the 10k sponsored walk on a very warm day meant it got quite tiring, but I was spurred along by the fantastic engagement with all the children who sought out a "bopping" on the head with my inflatable mallet! I was made so welcome by everybody at the event, and it was interesting to hear of the work of BAPS.”
Saloni Yadav shared, “The sponsored walk was an incredible event. Not only did it bring together friends and families across South-East London, it also raised money for an important cause: The Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice. The event combined exercise, fun, games and good food to create an engaging and memorable day for everyone. The event highlighted how uniting as a community can have an immensely positive impact on charity and health, as well as mental and spiritual wellbeing.”
Amit Patel, a leading volunteer for BAPS in South East London, 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; whilst raising money for a worthwhile cause and getting fit and healthy. We’re already looking forward to the next one!”