Home > News > UK & Europe > Cycle Challenge Raises Over £600,000 in Six Days for India’s Covid-19 Relief Work > ‘Cycle to Save Lives’ Appeal

Cycle Challenge Raises Over £600,000 in Six Days for India’s Covid-19 Relief Work, UK

1 May 2021 to 3 May 2021

‘Cycle to Save Lives’ Appeal

Mahant Swami Maharaj blessed the ‘Cycle to Save Lives’ appeal from Nenpur, India, on the morning of Saturday 1 May 2021

A total of 24 static bikes had been set up at three venues, including 12 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London – popularly known as Neasden Temple

Yogvivekdas Swami, head of the Mandir in London, performed the pujan of Thakorji to bless the event

The swamis of London Mandir prayed for the participants and all those suffering in India due to the devastating coronavirus pandemic

Riders observed strict social distancing guidelines throughout the event

Riders booked 1-hour slots online and agreed to the Covid-safe measures before being able to participate in the fundraising event

Volunteers helped adjust and reset the bike before each rider began his or her slot

Volunteers also helped log the distance covered by each rider

After each rider’s slot, each bike was thoroughly sanitised by volunteers

Trained medical volunteers were also on hand to provide assistance and support

The fundraising event caught the attention of the international media, and was covered by Indian, American, French, Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese and other outlets around the world

Several dignitaries and well-wishers also joined the cycle challenge, including Mei Sim Lai OBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Brent

Martin H.C. Russell Esq DL FCT, Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Barnet

Sadiq Khan (left), Mayor of London, and Cllr Muhammed Butt (right), Leader of Brent Council

The Mayor of London also tweeted his support for the campaign. <br>To view video message, please click <a href='https://twitter.com/SadiqKhan/status/1388571943662759936?s=20' target='blank' style='text-decoration:underline; color:blue;'>here</a>

The Mayor of London also tweeted his support for the campaign.
To view video message, please click here

Shaun Bailey (far right), Conservative Candidate for Mayor of London

Shaun Bailey also posted a video message in appreciation of BAPS's community work. <br>To view, please click <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaunBaileyUK/status/1388835745184485379?s=20" target="blank" style="text-decoration:underline; color:blue;">here</a>

Shaun Bailey also posted a video message in appreciation of BAPS's community work.
To view, please click here

Rajesh Agrawal, Deputy Mayor of London for Business, also posted a message of appreciation for Neasden Temple

Dawn Butler, MP for Brent Central

Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent North

Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East

Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West

Mike Freer, MP for Finchley and Golders Green

Local Community Support Officers from the Metropolitan Police also joined the ride

A team of pilots from British Airways joined in the decidely slower route to Delhi than they were normally used to

Dawood Pervez, Managing Director of Bestway Wholesale

Suhas Jadav, Regional Manager of Air India, and family

Gillian Joseph (front row left), Sky News Presenter, Lavina Mehta MBE (front row middle), Personal Trainer, and Kripa Dewani (front row right), popular ‘mumfluencer’

Rakesh Patel, Founder of The Bharat Army (Indian cricket team fan group)

For the serious riders, it was a gruelling challenge, each setting personal targets to cover within their allotted time

The non-stop challenge meant riders were cycling all day and throughout the night

Riders bravely soldiered on during the night

One rider shared, “I thoroughly enjoyed cycling in the early hours of the morning. It reminded me of those brave medics and volunteers working day and night in India.”

Riders enjoyed a glorious sunrise over north-west London

The event helped raise funds for BAPS’s Covid relief work on the frontline in India

More than 15,000 supporters sponsored the 787 riders participating in the 48-hour relay challenge

The innovative fundraising event captured the imagination of young and old

Riders celebrated every milestone reached on the relay journey from London to Delhi

The event at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chigwell, was inaugurated with the pujan of Thakorji by the resident pujari

Present to launch the event in Chigwell were Dame Eleanor Laing, MP for Epping Forest, and Pranav Bhanot, Chairman of Chigwell Parish Council

A total of six static bikes were stationed in the mandir grounds at Chigwell

During the day, the blooming cherry blossom trees in the mandir grounds provided a beautiful setting for some of the bikes

Sadguru Pujya Bhaktipriyadas (Kothari) Swami blessed the volunteers on a video call as the challenge began

After each rider’s slot was complete, volunteers thoroughly sanitised each bike before the next rider began

Many riders came well prepared for the challenge

Riders enjoyed sharing the appeal with friends and family, leading to more than 15,000 supporters donating to the campaign

A few serious riders clocked more than 80 kilometres each over multiple slots

At Chigwell, too, the round-the-clock challenge meant riders were cycling throughout the night

A further six bikes were stationed at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Leicester

The mandir’s traditional facade provided a stunning backdrop for the riders

Riders of all ages enjoyed participating in the challenge

The physical challenge for a good cause proved thoroughly enjoyable for the participants

The unseasonal chilly weather, especially in the early hours of the mornings, did not deter even the older riders

The glorious May sunshine during the day provided a welcome change to the recent unseasonally cold weather

The evening sun bathed the mandir and riders in its soothing radiance

Participants from nearby towns and cities also joined the challenge in Leicester

Each bike was thoroughly sanitised after each rider’s slot

Volunteers also logged the distance covered by each rider so that an accumulative total could be derived for the whole challenge

Riders cheered every milestone reached on the relay journey from London to Delhi

The final distance covered by the 787 cyclists at the three venues was almost <i>triple</i> the distance from London to Delhi

The final distance covered by the 787 cyclists at the three venues was almost triple the distance from London to Delhi