The BAPS Charities Annual Challenge for 2015 was launched on the evening of Saturday 31 January 2015 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London. The official partner for BAPS Charities this year is the British Heart Foundation (BHF), the “nation’s heart charity and the largest independent funder of cardiovascular research that fights for every heartbeat.”

The Challenge will offer an opportunity for participants to run, jog or walk 10 kilometres, and will take place in London and cities across the UK in April.

For the more adventurous, the Spartan Race – a series of obstacle races of varying distance and difficulty ranging from three miles to marathon distances – will provide a stiffer physical test. And, for thrill-seekers, there will be a special sponsored sky dive.

The nationwide event will bring together people from a variety of ages and backgrounds and join local communities to support the various good causes of BAPS Charities.

The Challenge will also raise funds for Rosa, “a charitable fund set up to support initiatives that benefit women and girls in the UK.”

This year’s Challenge builds on 19 years of sponsored events being organised by BAPS. Previous national partners have included Barnardo’s, Breast Cancer Care, Diabetes UK, Age UK, KIDS, The Anthony Nolan Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support as well as The British Heart Foundation.

Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Director at the British Heart Foundation, joined BAPS Charities at the Mandir in London for the official launch. After delivering a short presentation to the assembly on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), he shared: “We at the British Heart Foundation are very proud to be partnering with BAPS Charities again. This time we are looking forward to providing 20 schools across the UK with CPR training kits. This will allow thousands of secondary schoolchildren to learn how to give CPR and in turn to save lives.”

BAPS Charities volunteer Dr Mayank Shah added, “Our long-standing partnership with the BHF has helped to raise awareness and vital funds for this important disease. This year, we hope to raise maximum participation through additional challenges and also help many local charities with essential funds to continue their good work.”

To learn more about the work of the British Heart Foundation and Rosa, please click the respective links.

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