More than 130 people – from toddlers through to senior citizens – came together to participate in the BAPS Annual Charity Challenge on Sunday 4 August 2024 at Irchester Country Park.
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 Wellingborough, which serves children, youths, families, and the elderly.
The 2024 Challenge will also support BAPS’s local charity partner Northamptonshire Health Charity, which helps local NHS hospitals and community services.
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 Wellingborough, the Challenge has helped Cransley Hospice Trust, KidsAid and Children Are Butterflies 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.
Meena Patel, said, “It is vital we are able to assist such a charity with the mission of improving the lives of patients, their families and staff. It was a joy to participate in this event with members of my local community.”
Jaymin Patel, a leading volunteer for BAPS in Wellingborough, explained, “Our spiritual leader, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, is the inspirer behind this initiative. He has galvanised everyone from the youth to the elderly to unite as a team to help and serve others.”