Community, Fitness and Service Come Together

This year, Hetal, a member of the Leamington Ramakrishna Branch of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK), took part in the Leamington 15K to raise funds for two causes close to the local community: Myton Hospice and the Leamington Mandir (Hindu temple).

For Hetal, this was her first year taking part in the event. Although she chose the 15K rather than the half-marathon distance, the experience proved both challenging and rewarding.

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK), commonly known as HSS (UK), is a voluntary cultural and community organisation that promotes personal development, family values, community service, and active citizenship across the United Kingdom. Community service and supporting charitable causes are important aspects of its activities, encouraging people of all ages to contribute their time, energy, and skills for the benefit of others.

Supporting Myton Hospice

The local HSS (UK) community has been supporting Myton Hospice for several years, helping raise funds for the important work it carries out for patients and their families.

This year, Hetal and her father, Pritesh, took part in the 15K together and raised an impressive £771 for Myton Hospice, significantly exceeding their original fundraising target.

Their participation demonstrated how personal challenges such as running can be transformed into opportunities to support others. Training, perseverance, and completing the race became part of a wider effort to make a positive contribution to the local community.

Supporting the Leamington Mandir

More recently, the community has also begun raising funds to support the local Leamington Mandir, creating another opportunity for families to contribute towards the preservation and development of a place of worship and community.

Hindu temples traditionally serve not only as places of worship but also as community and cultural centres. They can provide spaces for festivals, educational activities, music, dance, cultural learning, charitable initiatives, and intergenerational gatherings.

The involvement of families in fundraising activities helps ensure that such spaces can continue to serve future generations while remaining open and welcoming to the wider community.

Getting Children Involved

The fundraising spirit extends to younger members of the community as well. The Leamington Branch of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK) also participates in the children’s fun run held as part of the event.

While the children’s race can be energetic and somewhat chaotic, it is also an enjoyable way of introducing young people to the values of participation, physical activity, teamwork, and community service.

Involving children from an early age helps demonstrate that contributing to the community does not always require a major commitment. Small acts of participation, when undertaken collectively, can make a meaningful difference.

The Spirit of Service

The initiative reflects an important principle within Hindu and Indian culture: service to others and responsibility towards the wider community.

Service is often regarded as an opportunity to use one’s time, abilities, and resources for the benefit of others without expecting personal reward. Taking part in a charity run provides a practical expression of this principle, combining personal wellbeing with a commitment to supporting important community causes.

For Hetal, the 15K was therefore not simply a sporting achievement. It was an opportunity to challenge herself physically, spend time with family, support Myton Hospice, and contribute towards the local Hindu community.

Reflecting on the experience, Hetal described the 15K as a wonderful and memorable event and hopes to take on the half-marathon distance next year.

Her experience is a great example of how fitness, family, cultural connection, and community service can come together to create a positive impact—both for the individual taking part and for the causes being supported.