Shri Ram Mandir to help Fiji community through Ram-A-Thon

Thakur Ranjit Singh

What started four years ago as a prop to raise funds for completing Shri Ram Mandir in Henderson, Auckland, has snowballed into annual fundraiser for needy organisations. 

First we helped out the Starship Children’s Hospital with a collection of just over $10,000.

Second we helped out Saint John’s Ambulance and collected just over $16,000.

The next walkathon, which has been named as Ram-A –Thon to reflect its initiative from Shri Ram Mandir, will be held on Sunday 3 February, 2019. This will be to help people needing urgent medical attention in Fiji. Funds collected will go to FRIENDS OF FIJI HEALTH, which organises volunteer doctors to help out people in Fiji.

Shri Ram Mandir-where it all starts - A flashback-beginning of Ram-A -Thon 2017 in front of Ram Mandir before boarding the bus.

A WALK WITH A DIFFERENCE

Unlike past walks which was long and used up the whole day, walking through built up area and roads, we have reduced this walk to just 10km. And we have moved down nearer to the beauty and greenery of West Auckland.

A glimpse of beautiful cemented walkway for 2019 walk,  just beyond Sturges Road in the greenery of Henderson Valley. You will be assured of magnificent face of West Auckland.

It starts at Shri Ram Mandir at 8.30 am, with assembly time of 8am to get organised. The walk from Mandir proceeds down to Swanson Rd, turning right into Sturges Rd, turns left into second Vintage Drive (off near 61 Sturges Rd) and joins picturesque cemented walkway of Henderson through beautiful forests, vines, and Oratia Stream, between Sturges Road and Henderson Valley Road. 

The major break will be at 359 Henderson Valley Road Ashram.

The main difference this year is the addition of a family fun day. The walk will terminate at Henderson Park, where a day full of activities is planned, commencing at 11 am. Planned competitive activities include Women's volleyball & penalty kicks, Men's 7-a-side soccer & tug o' war, Senior citizens' lawn bowling & ball and bucket, Kids’ marble & spoon, sack race, and relay and other non-competitive fun-filled activities will be organised for all age groups.

Another glimpse of picturesque walk among the bushes of Henderson Valley Road, where this walk will takes us to. Breathtaking views of greenery.

For soccer fans from Fiji, attraction will be division and competition according to ten districts as follows:  Rakiraki, Tavua, Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Nadroga, Suva, Nasinu, Rewa, and Labasa.

MESSAGE OF SPIRITUALITY TO THE COMMUNITY

With our example, we appeal to other like-minded organisations to extend their radar of focus to wellbeing of the community.

The person leading the organisation that came with this benevolent thought, stressed that this type of walkathon has multi-pronged objectives. Pravin Kumar, the Managing Trustee of SRMCT said, “We have advised from the outset that the priority of this charity walk was not fundraising. While that is one of the aims, it is one on low priority.”

When and where it all began- a flashback 4 years ago, at 8.52am on 30 November, 2014 at Shri Ram Krishna Mandir at Onslow Rd, Papatoetoe where the first Ram-A-Thon began for the marathon 35 km walk.

He advised that the multi-objectives of this walk are: 

• To engage with the wider community, including children, youths, elders,            women and people from all walks to life – enhancing diversity, teamwork, 
        networking and multiculturalism. 
• To create awareness of well-being, healthy living, walking, exercising and 
        keeping fit. 
• Raise much needed funds for worthy charitable causes and help inculcate 
        the concept of helping others who are less fortunate than us
• Work collaboratively with other like minded charitable, community and 
        religious organisations 
• Get corporate and commercial businesses on board as sponsors

Keeping fit, and show of women-power of Shri Ram Mandir. Ladies leading the walk of 2018, just at Winter Gardens at Auckland Domain where the walk began.

We are requesting general public to reserve Sunday, 3 February, 2019 in your calendar for walking to help vulnerable people in Fiji, needing urgent medical attention. With our help, Friends of Fiji Health will be able to do that much more back home.

While walking to help, this will also bring the community together to have family fun in Henderson Park.

Further information and sponsorship forms can be obtained from Event Director Mahendra Sharma on 027 661 3242 or e-mail – family_sharma@hotmail.com

For further details please visit Shri Ram Mandir Facebook page or can be obtained by contacting Pundit Markand Bhatt on 09-836 4647 at the Mandir.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh runs the blog FIJI PUNDIT, and is also a media commentator, and promotes community and other events beneficial to the society and enhances community wellbeing. He is part of the organising committee for 2019 Ram-A-Thon]