The BAPS Charities Annual Challenge for 2011 was launched on the evening of Saturday 12 February 2011 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London (popularly known as the ‘Neasden Temple’). The official partner for BAPS Charities this year is Age UK (formed by the combining of Age Concern and Help the Aged), one of the country’s leading charities working for the elderly. The Challenge will see participants run, jog or walk 10 kilometres, and will take place on 10 April in London and 17 April in other cities across the UK. For the more adventurous, there will also be the ‘30k Bike Challenge’ taking place in London on 10 April.

The event will bring together people from a variety of ages and backgrounds as well as join local communities from across the country to support the various good causes of BAPS Charities, including Age UK which helps over 5 million people in the UK each year. The nationwide event will also provide many local charities with essential funds to continue their good work.

This year’s Challenge continues to build on 17 years of sponsored events being organised by BAPS. Previous national partners have included Barnardo’s, The Anthony Nolan Trust, Diabetes UK, The British Heart Foundation, and Breast Cancer Care. Paul Farthing, Fundraising Director of Age UK, joined BAPS Charities at the Mandir in London for the official launch. In his address to the assembly, Paul offered his gratitude to BAPS Charities on partnering with Age UK, saying: “Age UK is very honoured and privileged to be a partner with BAPS Charities UK.”

BAPS Charities volunteer Kamlesh Patel added, “We are very pleased to be working with Age UK. The elderly are such a valuable part of our society but are sadly so often forgotten and neglected. We hope that as many people as possible can join us in supporting this worthy cause and participate in what promises to be a wonderful, fun-filled event.”

To register online please click here.

To learn more about Age UK and their activities, please visit their website at www.ageuk.org.uk.

Guidance for children collecting sponsors:

Children under the age of 16 must always be supervised by an adult and should only approach friends and relations for sponsorship. Please do not talk to strangers or engage in door-to-door collections without prior permission from the appropriate authorities.